| PREMATURITY |
| Prematurity is defined as infants delivered before 35 weeks gestation. Low birthweight is defined as less than 2500 grams. Very low birth weight is defined as less than 1500 grams. |
| Prematurity can be caused by many factors: poor nutrition inadequate prenatal care toxemia teenage mother multiple pregnancies drug abuse twins, triplets, quadruplets, etc. infections in the third trimester premature rupture of membranes diabetes congenital abnormalities of the fetus UNKNOWN |
| Physical and Developmental Characteristics of Premature Infants: presence of body hair (lanugo) absence of skin creases reddish skin color absence of ear cartilage breast buds floppy muscle tone extended, rag-doll position reduced flexibility of the joints primitive reflexes not well developed |
| Early Problems For Premature Infants Inability to breathe or breathe regularly on their own due to underdeveloped lungs Body temperature regulation (the baby cannot maintain his or her own body heat) Feeding and growth problems because of an immature digestive system Jaundice (yellowing of skin and possible brain damage due to buildup of bilirubin, a blood breakdown product) Anemia (not enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to tissues) Intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding into the brain) Problems Premature Infants Face as They Grow Older Apnea, episodes of stopping breathing, which may require special monitoring, even at home Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a chronic lung disease that may or may not improve as the child grows Hearing or vision problems related to immature nerve or treatment side effects Developmental delay and learning disabilities from brain damage related to immaturity Because premature babies can be very ill, especially extremely premature infants, decisions about treatments can be difficult for parents, doctors and nurses. Medical research studies provide information about treatments and the likely course of an illness, but they cannot predict how each baby will recover from being born too early. |
| Possible complications resulting from premature birth: Respiratory Distress Syndrome Respiratory failure resulting from inadequate surfactant production in premature infants; leads to lack of expansion of alveoli and poor gas exchange. Ventilation is often needed. Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia A chronic lung disorder that occurs in about 7% of premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome. It is associated with "stiff" lungs that do not permit adequate gas exchange and frequently leads to dependence on ventilator assistance for extended periods of time. |
| Patent Ductus Arteriosis After birth, the ductus arteriosis, which connects the aorta and the pulmonary arteries, closes. In about 30% of premature infants, this does not close. This can lead to heart failure. Treatment can include medicine or surgery to close the duct. Apnea and Bradycardia Apnea is an episodic arrest of breathing. In a premature infant, this can lead to bradycardia, in which the heart rate slows, usually to fewer than 60 beats a minute. Lack of respiratory effort can be treated with a caffeine-like drug, or a bed that rocks. Chronic apnea is a warning sign; more than 20% of Sudden Infant Deaths are in premature babies. |
| This baby was born 15 years ago, weighing only 280 grams, 27 weeks gestation. She is now a 15 year old honor student who plays the violin |
| Intracerebral Hemorrhage Premature infants have a fragile network of blood vessels that supply the brain. These are particularly sensitive to changes in oxygen and pressure. Decreased cerebral blood flow and increased intracranial pressure may lead to brain damage, a cause of spastic diplegia (cerebral palsy) or mental retardation. Necrotizing Enterocolitis The gastrointestinal system in a premature infant is also very delicate. Necrotizing enterocolitis develops during the first 2 weeks of life in 2% -- 5% of very low birth weight infants. This condition has a 20% mortality rate. Abdominal distension, lethargy, and vomiting are early signs. Sometimes, it may be necessary to remove the diseased section of the intestine. Retinopathy of Prematurity This is detachment of the retina and subsequent blindness caused by high levels of oxygen given to premature infants with undeveloped lungs. But there are other causes, as of yet unknown. Hypothermia Low body temperature; especially a risk in the premature infant. Jaundice Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by an accumulation of bilirubin. This often is found in liver disease and Rh incompatibility; also called icterus. Hypoglycemia Low blood sugar; often found in premature infants and infants of mothers with diabetes. |
| www.growingstrong.org/ rop/preemie.jpg www.eiri.usu.edu/.../ Premature-Infant_web.jpg www.maternalinfant.com/ images/twinsV2.jpg www.medem.com/medem/ images/jamaarchives/JAMA_... images.ibsys.com/2002/ 0530/1487602_200X150.jpg www.ttmf.org/images/ Sarah_Feb13.jpg www.outsidethebeltway.com/ fotos/preemie.jpg news.nationalgeographic.com/.../ skin_4_2.jpg graphics1.snopes.com/.../ graphics/marzipan1.jpg www.heatherspears.com/ hand.jpg |
| Yeah, Well, this isn't real, but it is SUCH a cool picture, that I HAD to put it on my web site. DON'T YOU AGREE????? How cute are they!! Well, and also, read that book called "Rainbabies" and this looks like them. SOOOO sweet. |
| Baby girl Nadia (L), who weighed 7.75 kg (17.1 lbs) after birth, lies in a maternity ward in the Siberian city of Barnaul September 26, 2007. |
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