A premature baby is a baby born  before 37 weeks of gestation. These babies usually have more health problems and may stay in the hospital longer than babies born later.
 

 
The earlier a baby is born, the more problems he is likely to face. Premature babies usually spend time in the hospital neonatal intensive care unit also known as NICU. This section of the hospital takes care of sick newborns.

 

 

What health problems do premature babies face after birth ?

 
Some of the health problems premature babies may face include the following :

 

Apnea and bradycardia : Apnea is a pause in breathing for 20 seconds or more. This may happen together with a slow heart rate know as bradycardia. An alarm will sound if the newborn’s heart rate is below 100 beats per minute. A little tap or rub on the back reminds the premature baby to breath and this increases the heart rate.

 

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) : This is breathing in the brain. This bleeding is as a result of the immature blood vessels not being able to tolerate changes in circulation that takes place during labor. This condition can lead to complications such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation and learning difficulties.

 

Jaundice :This is the yellowing of the skin and the white part of the eye. It  is caused by a buildup of bilirubin which is as a result of an immature liver or liver that isn’t working well.

 

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) :  This is a breathing problem that is common in babies born before 34 weeks of gestation. Babies with RDS don’t have a protein called surfactant that keep small air spaces in the lungs from collapsing.

 

Infections : These babies are at high risk of infections because their immune system is not fully developed. Infections they may face include sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis.

 

Patent ductus arteriosis (PDA) :  This is a cardiac disorder that occurs in the connection (called the ductus ateriosus) between two major blood vessels near the heart. If this duct does not close properly after birth, the baby can have breathing problems or heart failure.

 

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) : This is a potentially blinding disorder. It is the overgrowth of blood vessels in the eye.

 

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) : This is a problem with the baby’s intestines. It occurs when a portion of the newborns intestines develop poor blood flow . This can lead to infection of the bowel wall. This causes feeding problems, a swollen belly and diarrhea.

 

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) : This condition occurs in premature babies as well as babies who are on treatment with a breathing machine. Babies with this condition sometimes develop fluid in the lungs, scarring and lung damage.

 

Anemia : This is when a baby does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the rest of the body.
 
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