Growing Baby 21-24 wks
At about 22 weeks the baby becomes covered in a very fine, soft hair called lanugo. The purpose of this isn’t known, but it is thought that it may be to keep the baby at the right temperature. The lanugo disappears before birth, though sometimes just a little is left and disappears later.
At 24 weeks, the baby is called ‘viable’. This means that the baby is now thought to have a chance of survival if born. Most babies born before this time cannot live because their lungs and other vital organs are not developed enough. The care that can now be given in neonatal units means that more and more babies born early do survive.
Reference: http://www.nhs.uk/Planners/pregnancycareplanner/Pages/During.aspx
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