Premature Baby
A baby is considered to be premature if they are born before they are 37 weeks old. With modern advances in the care of premature babies, a lot can be done to help babies born prematurely, but there are always risks with a premature baby. The exact cause of preterm labor is usually unknown but there are some known factors which make cause your baby to be born prematurely.Causes of Premature Labor
Preeclampsia, a condition that can develop in the second trimester of pregnancy with high blood pressure, fluid retention, and protein in the urine, may result in preterm labor. Other maternal disease processes such as kidney disease, diabetes, infection, or heart disease may also contribute to preterm labor. Often, the cause is unknown.Multiple pregnancy (the presence of more than one fetus in the uterus -- twins, triplets, etc.) accounts for 15% of all premature births.
The problems encountered by a premature infant are related to the immaturity of the organ systems. The infant requires specialized care in a nursery until his or her organ systems have developed enough to sustain life without specialized support. Depending on the extent of prematurity, this may take weeks to months.
Youth, substance abuse, poor nutrition and a lack of prenatal care are all risk factors for a premature birth.
Symptoms of Premature Birth on the Baby
The following symptoms are evident on premature babies- Low birth weight - less than 5.5 pounds (2500 grams)
- Thin, smooth, shiny, almost translucent skin
- Veins are easily seen through the skin (transparent skin)
- Wrinkled features
- Soft, flexible ear cartilage
- Body hair called lanugo
- Irregular breathing pattern
- Weak cry
- Usually inactive, may be unusually active immediately after birth
- Ineffective suck and swallow (poor feeding)
- Enlarged clitoris (female infant)
- Small scrotum, smooth without ridges (male infant)
Care for Preemies
To assure support of the respiratory and cardiac systems and anticipate other common problems associated with prematurity, immediate evaluation and, if necessary, resuscitation takes place after delivery. The infant is placed under a warmer or in an isolette with controlled temperatures where careful observation and care can be given.Depending on the degree of prematurity, the infant may not start breathing after birth, or respiratory efforts may be inadequate to expand the chest and deliver oxygen to the infant's body. In such cases, a breathing tube is inserted into the infant's trachea, and artificial breathing is delivered by a respirator.
The Future
Improved medical and nursing techniques have increased the survival of premature infants. A greater chance of survival is associated with increasing length of the pregnancy. Of babies born at 28 weeks, approximately 80% survive.As a rule, the more premature an infant, and the smaller the birth weight, the greater the risk of complications. It must be stressed, however, that it is impossible to predict the long-term outcome for an individual baby merely on the basis of gestational age or birth weight.
Prevention
One of the most important steps to preventing prematurity is to begin prenatal care as early as possible and to continue prenatal care throughout the pregnancy. This cannot be stressed enough.Resources
Preemies.Org - was established to help parents of premature infants find other parents.American Association for Premature Infants: "an organization dedicated to improving the quality of health, developmental and educational services for premature infants, children and their families
More Premature Baby Info from Baby-Parenting.com
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