Parents of preemies, here’s what you need to know about caring for a premature baby.
What can you read in this article?
- Characteristics of a premature baby
- Health issues that your premature baby may have
- Psychological effects of premature birth
Was your baby born too soon before you were even considered full term? Her arrival might not have been what you were expecting, but it doesn’t mean that your little one cannot thrive. With your help, your baby can definitely overcome the challenges that come with being born too early and will be able to catch up with other babies her age.
Characteristics of a premature baby
If your baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, she’s a premature baby or also known as a preemie.
In the Philippines, around 300,000 babies are born premature or at a low birth weight annually.
When your baby comes out, you might be taken aback by how tiny she looks. The earlier she arrives, the smaller she will be. And her head will seem so large in relation to the rest of her body. She’ll be all skin and so little fat. But don’t worry, soon, her features will change and she will begin to look like a typical newborn.
As preemies come out of the womb before they can develop fully, some of them will encounter various health problems, both short-term and long-term. And the earlier a baby is born, the higher the risk of complications. Birth weight plays an important role, too.
Premature baby health issues to watch out for – short-term complications
Here are some premature baby problems that might start showing in the initial weeks:
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Breathing problems
You may notice that your preemie might seem so weak at first, crying only softly and looking like she has trouble breathing. A premature baby may face breathing problems due to immature lung development.
Respiratory distress syndrome is one such condition in which a baby has difficulty breathing due to the lack of elasticity in her lungs.
Preemies may also develop a chronic lung disease known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, which causes the lungs to grow abnormally or to be inflamed.
Some preemies experience prolonged pauses in their breathing, known as apnea. Premature infants are also at increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
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Low immunity
Preemies are more prone to infections because of their underdeveloped immune system. Infection in a premature baby can quickly spread to the bloodstream, causing sepsis, a life-threatening complication.
Premature infants are also especially susceptible to the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
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Brain problems
The earlier a baby is born, the greater the risk of bleeding in the brain, known as an intraventricular hemorrhage.
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Feeding issues
Premature babies, especially those born very early, may lack sucking and/or swallowing reflexes, making it difficult to nurse or take a bottle.
PHOTO: FLICKR
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Gastrointestinal problems
Their immature gastrointestinal systems leave preemies susceptible to complications such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) happens when tissue in the small or large intestine is injured or begins to die off. This causes the intestine to become inflamed. The intestine can no longer hold waste, so bacteria and other waste products pass through the intestine and enter the baby’s bloodstream or abdominal cavity. This can make a baby very sick, possibly causing a life-threatening infection.
Studies show that breast milk significantly reduces the chances of a premature baby getting infected with necrotising enterocolitis (NEC).
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Temperature control issues
Since they lack the stored body fat of a full-term infant, preemies can lose body heat quickly. They have trouble regulating their body temperature and their body temperature can drop too low, leading to a condition called hypothermia.
Hypothermia can lead to breathing problems and low blood sugar levels. That’s why smaller preemies require additional heat from a warmer or an incubator until they’re larger.
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Blood problems
Preemies are at risk of blood problems such as anemia and infant jaundice (due to their immature liver). It happens when a chemical called bilirubin builds up in the baby’s blood, resulting in yellowish skin.
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Vision problems
Premature infants may develop retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). ROP is an eye disorder that primarily affects premature infants weighing about 1250 grams or less, who are born before 31 weeks of gestation. This disorder—which usually develops in both eyes—is one of the most common causes of visual loss in childhood and can lead to lifelong vision impairment and blindness.
READ MORE:
Parents of extremely premature babies face an impossible choice
Premature baby health issues – long-term complications
Though your preemie seemed okay when you brought her home from the hospital, she’s not out of the woods yet. Here are some premature baby problems that may surface later on in life:
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Developmental issues
A Finnish study has found that young adults who were born prematurely had weaker muscles and reported feeling less physically fit, than those who were born at full-term. They are also expected to reach their milestones later than full-term babies. Long-term intellectual and developmental disabilities have also been reported.
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Hearing problems
Premature babies are at increased risk of some degree of hearing loss, due to their low birth weight and abnormal inner ear development.
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Dental problems
Preemies who have been critically ill are at increased risk of developing dental problems, such as delayed tooth eruption, tooth discoloration and improperly aligned teeth.
When the teeth of babies who are born prematurely come in, they may lack protective enamel and be more prone to decay and staining. The more premature the infant, the more likely she is to have this condition, which is known as enamel hypoplasia.
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Neurological problems
Premature babies have an increased risk of developing neurological disorders later on in life. Some studies showed that babies who were born earlier had poorer test scores in reading and math compared with those born full term.
Many premature babies often grow up dealing with cerebral palsy. This might be caused by infection, inadequate blood flow, or injury to a preemie’s developing brain either during pregnancy.
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Behavioral and Psychological Issues
Behavioral problems can be a complication for preemies, including dealing with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Studies have shown that premature babies have a higher tendency to have poor social/interactive skills, poor behavioral and emotional self-regulation, emotional difficulties, and are at a greater risk of developing anxiety and even autism.
Also, studies have shown that premature babies are at risk of developing more social and school struggles later on in life.
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Chronic health issues
Premature babies are more likely to have chronic health issues than full-term infants. Infections, cardiac risk factors like high blood pressure, asthma, and feeding problems are more likely to develop or persist.
Caring for your premature baby
Despite the possible health complications and challenges, it’s still possible for your baby to grow healthy and strong. Knowing the risks that come with raising a preemie, you can find a way to care for your baby the best way you know how – by protecting him from harmful elements, strengthening his immune system, and helping him reach his developmental milestones through moral support and proper nutrition.
When it comes to your premature baby’s health, make sure that you are ready in case of any emergency. Be informed of his medical history, and be in constant communication with your child’s pediatrician to ensure that your preemie is getting the proper care he needs especially in his first years of life.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Singapore
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