According to the American Pregnancy Association, babies born before the 37th week of gestation are considered premature. Contributing factors to premature birth include maternal heart disease, diabetes, infection, incompetent cervix, preeclampsia, placental complications and poor nutrition. Premature babies will be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) until they are ready for discharge. The earlier babies are born, the higher their risk for complications.
Immature Lung Function
When premature delivery is imminent, physicians may administer several doses of steroids to the mother in order to speed up fetal lung development. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) causes harsh, irregular breathing and difficulties because of the lack of a certain agent in the lungs called surfactant, which helps prevent the lungs from collapsing, reports the American Pregnancy Association. Babies may be placed under an oxygen hood, or given a nasal cannula underneath the nares to give additional respiratory support. In severe cases, an infant may need to be placed on a ventilator while his lungs have more time to mature.
Feeding Intolerance
The reflex necessary to suck, swallow and breathe develops between 32 and 34 weeks gestation. This reflex must be intact for an infant to feed properly. In certain cases, a small feeding tube may be inserted into the mouth (orogastric) or nose (nasogastric) to provide feedings of either pumped breast milk or formula. In severely premature infants, nutrition may be given intravenously until the gastrointestinal system is ready for feeding.
Intraventricular Hemorrhage
An intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is bleeding in the brain that may occur when a baby is born prematurely. Most bleeds occur in the first three days of life and get better by themselves with no or few lasting problems, states the March of Dimes. A severe IVH may require surgery and can lead to developmental delays, behavioral issues or cerebral palsy.
Infection
A baby born prematurely may not be able to fight off infection because of an immature immune system. Doctors may place the baby in an incubator to protect her from illness. Premature infants are more likely to develop certain infections throughout childhood, such as asthma and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Retinopathy of Prematurity
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eye. Some cases of ROP will heal spontaneously. In other cases, it is treated with a laser or cryotherapy (freezing), states the March of Dimes.
