Being born to extreme prematurity, I wanted to share with my readers some important facts and challenges associated with both prematurity and extreme prematurity. These issues and challenges can present themselves at birth and potentially continue throughout the life of the individual.
General Information:
A normal term pregnancy is about 40 weeks and a premature birth can occur at 37 weeks or earlier. A birth that takes place before 28 weeks is known as “Extreme Prematurity”. In the final weeks in the womb, it is extremely crucial for healthy weight gain and for the full development of various vital organs, including the brain and lungs. This is why premature babies may have more medical problems and may require a longer hospital stay. In the past, premature birth was the major cause of infant death in the United States. Today, with the quality of care for newborns and to many recent advances in the medical field, so have the survival rates of premature babies. However, premature birth is still the top cause of infant death worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Extreme prematurity is also a leading cause of long-term nervous system disorders in children as well as developmental delays and various disabilities that hopefully get diagnosed as early as possible.
A study by JAMA noted that the survival rate for babies born before 28 weeks, which is known as “Extreme Prematurity” increased from 70 percent in 1993 to 79 percent in 2012.
Special Hospital Care:
Premature infants will often require special care, especially those born to extreme prematurity. Their lives begin in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The NICU provides the perfect environment that will limit stress to the infant. It also provides the warmth, nutrition, and protection needed for proper growth and development. The premature infants are also provided special care with a team of Neonatal Doctors and Nurses in the NICU.
Early Potential Health Problems in Premature Infants (soon after birth) Can Include:
• Trouble Breathing
• Low Weight, Low Body Fat
• Inability to Maintain A Constant Body Temperature
• Less Activity Than Normal
• Movement and Coordination Problems
• Difficulties with Feeding and Digesting Food
• Abnormally Pale or Yellow Skin
Potential Life-Threatening Conditions Can Include:
• Brain Hemorrhage, Or Bleeding in The Brain
• Pulmonary Hemorrhage, Or Bleeding in The Lungs
• Hypoglycemia, Or Low Blood Sugar
• Neonatal Sepsis, A bacterial blood infection
• Pneumonia, An infection and inflammation of the lungs
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus, An unclosed hole in the main blood vessel of the heart
• Anemia, A lack of red blood cells for transporting oxygen throughout the body
• Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome, A breathing disorder caused by underdeveloped lungs
Possible Common Short and Long-Term Complications Include:
• Developmental Delays/Disorders and Various Learning Disabilities
• Various Medical Conditions
• Behavioral problems that can continue through childhood and sometimes into adulthood (if not treated)
• Permanent Disabilities, Hearing problems, Vision Loss, or Blindness
• Physical disabilities, Delayed Growth, and Poor Coordination
Parents of premature infants need to pay careful attention to their child’s cognitive and motor development. This includes the achievement of certain skills, such as smiling, sitting, and walking. Speech and behavioral development also are important to monitor. Some premature infants may need speech, physical, and/or occupational therapy throughout their childhood.
Source of information: Various Google Searches and Personal Experience
Until next time, stay safe and well!
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