What is the earliest gestational age at which a fetus may have a chance of survival if born prematurely?

A fetus may have a chance of survival if born prematurely at around 24 weeks of gestation. This is considered the threshold age for viability, as advancements in neonatal care have led to increasing survival rates for infants born at this stage. At 24 weeks, the fetus has developed sufficiently that some critical systems, such as the respiratory system, begin to mature, allowing for potential life outside the womb with intensive medical intervention.

While survival rates improve significantly with each additional week of gestation, the correct answer indicates a slightly earlier threshold than commonly recognized. Nevertheless, 24 weeks is the earliest gestational age where chances of survival begin, making it a pivotal point in discussions about prematurity and neonatal care. The improvements in medical technology and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) continue to raise the viability rates for those born at the edge of this gestational period.