A preemie is another term for a premature infant. A baby that is born from 26 to 37 weeks gestation is considered a preemie. A baby that is born prior to the 26th week of gestation is considered a micro-preemie. Because preemies didn't have enough time in the uterus, organs and systems in the baby's body are often immature. This poses unique risks to the preemie that include growth and health-related issues. With proper specialized care after birth, preemies may develop much like their full-term peers.
Care
A preemie will spend the first part of her life in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The time she spends there will usually last until at least the due date of your pregnancy. The NICU will monitor her health and provide any support she needs to keep her alive, growing and healthy. The NICU will feed her intravenously until she is strong enough to eat on her own, which usually occurs on the dates when your pregnancy would have been 32 to 34 weeks. In order to encourage the best growth possible, your preemie will receive special nutritional supplements that can be added to formula or breast milk. Once the preemie is strong enough to leave the NICU, her progress will be closely monitored by her pediatricians throughout her childhood.
Factors
Factors that can affect a preemie's growth are the amount of time the preemie spent in utero, any medical conditions present at birth, the preemie's reaction to medical care provided and any health complications that develop after birth. While in the NICU, the preemie will be monitored for necrotizing enterocolitis, which is an intestinal infection that is associated only with preemies, according to the Nemours Foundation. A preemie with this condition may suffer from a slower growth rate than preemies that don't have the condition.
Growth Trends
When a preemie starts to gain weight, the weight will generally be in the head first and then in the body. This is similar to the way weight is gained in utero. According to Prematurity.org, approximately 85 percent of premature infants will end up on track with nonpremature infants by the age of two years old. Preemies with health complications may take longer to catch up.
Considerations
A preemie will usually require extra care even after leaving the hospital. Just like any child, she will need well-child checkups and regular immunizations. Doctors will pay special attention to the way the child's nervous system is developing by checking motor skills. Additionally, periodic screenings are needed to monitor the preemie's hearing, vision and speech. In some cases, speech therapy and physical therapy may be needed to deal with delays.
Complications
A premature infant may develop respiratory complications, anemia, poor eating habits or low blood pressure. Additionally, a premature infant is more susceptible to infections and chronic conditions such as asthma. Vision complications, such as strabismus or retinopathy of prematurity, may be noticeable when the baby is in the NICU; however, these problems may resolve themselves over time.
