Premature Birth
Premature Birth
It is defined as the birth of the baby before the 37th week of pregnancy. It usually occurs 3 or 4 weeks before the due date. Premature babies have many complications of prematurity. Based on how early baby is born it is classified as:
- Extremely preterm, before 25 weeks (about 5 and a half months) of pregnancy
- Very preterm, less than 32 weeks (about 7 and a half months)
- Moderately preterm, between 32 and 34 weeks (about 8 months)
- Late preterm, between 34 and 36 weeks (about 8 and a half months)
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of preterm baby include:
- Lanugo cover almost complete body surface
- Low body temperature
- Small size
- Breathing difficulties
- Lack of swallowing reflex
- Feeding problems
Complications
Complications may occur in very preterm babies who have low birth weight also and does not occur in all babies, complication include:
- Heart problems like patent ductus arteriosus
- Breathing difficulties
- Temperature control problems
- Brain problems
- Disturbed metabolism
- Immature immune system problems
Diagnosis
After taking history and conducting physical examination your doctor recommends the following tests:
- Monitored heart rate
- Checking breathing pattern and rate
- Blood test to check the complete blood count
- Ultrasound scan to check the different organs
- Echocardiogram to check the function of fetal heart
Treatment
Following treatment options include:
- Monitoring baby vitals like heart rate, breathing rate, pulse rate etc./
- Placed baby in incubator to maintain temperature
- Feeding the baby through iv tube or nasogastric tube
- Maintain body fluid
- Treat infant jaundice by blue light therapy
- Medications include surfactant for respiratory problems, antibiotic injections for infections etc.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Following tips will help to take safe care of your premature baby:
- Discuss feeding issue with your pediatric
- Take help with other people around you
- Take sleep
- Eat healthy food
- Protect baby from infection
- Maintain hygiene
- Follow vaccination schedule