MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, reports that a premature infant is one who is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Premature newborns are susceptible to multiple different health problems, which are more likely to occur the earlier the newborn was born.
Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome
MedlinePlus reports that the most common complication affecting newborn infants is neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. This syndrome is caused by the absence of a substance called surfactant in the premature newborn's lungs. This substance is normally present in lungs that are mature. According to MedlinePlus, most cases of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome are seen in babies born earlier than 28 weeks of pregnancy. Symptoms of this syndrome are apnea (brief pauses in breathing); shallow and/or rapid breathing; shortness of breath, reduced output of urine; flaring of the nostrils; and abnormal movements during breathing (drawing back of the chest muscles). According to MedlinePlus, death may result from this syndrome, or long-term complications may occur. Some of these complications include bleeding in the brain and/or lungs, delayed mental development, mental retardation and blindness.
Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH)
According to the March of Dimes, another complication that may affect premature newborns is intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), which is a highly technical name for bleeding in the brain. Many instances of bleeding in the brain of a premature newborn resolve itself with no further complications. However, bleeding in the brain can cause brain damage--possibly leading to cerebral palsy and learning or behavioral problems. MedlinePlus reports that the bleeding is caused by weak blood vessels in the premature infant, which usually gain sufficient strength after 30 weeks of pregnancy. IVH more commonly affects babies with other complications, such as neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and high blood pressure, than babies with no other problems.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
A third complication that may affect premature infants, according to the March of Dimes, is patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA. The ductus arteriosus is a large artery that allows blood to bypass the lungs while in the mother's womb, because the baby receives oxygen via the placenta. This artery normally closes before birth, allowing the blood to flow into the blood vessels of the lungs; however, premature newborns may still have an open ductus arteriosis. Without a properly closed ductus arteriosus, the newborn may suffer heart failure.
