Written by Nahir Abdel Nabi Monday, August 07, 2023 03:00 AM
Premature birth has many risks to the health of the mother and child, according to the Mayoclinic website, while not all children suffer premature As a complication, being born too early can result in long-term or short-term health problems.
The earlier the baby is born than expected, the higher the risk of complications, as the weight of the baby at birth also plays an important role.
Among the most prominent complications of premature birth:
Complications of premature birth
Breathing problems. A premature baby may feel difficulty breathing due to incomplete development of the respiratory system. If the baby’s lungs lack surfactant, a substance that allows the lungs to expand, he may develop respiratory distress syndrome because the lungs cannot expand and contract in a normal way.
Premature babies may also develop a lung defect known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In addition, some premature babies may stop breathing for long periods, a condition known as apnea.
Heart problems Patent ductus arteriosus and low blood pressure are the most common heart problems in premature babies. Patent ductus arteriosus is a permanent opening between the aorta and pulmonary artery. This heart defect often closes on its own, but if left untreated it can lead to a murmur. Cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure in addition to other complications. As for low blood pressure, it may require intervention with modifications in intravenous fluids and medications, and in some cases blood transfusions may be required.
Brain problems, the earlier a child is born, the greater the risk of bleeding in the brain, which is known as intraventricular hemorrhage. the brain.
Temperature control problems Premature babies can lose body heat quickly. The reason for this is because they do not have stored fat in their bodies compared to babies who were born at term, and they do not have the ability to generate enough heat to replace what was lost through the surface of the body. in basal body temperature.
Gastrointestinal problems in premature babies are often incompletely developed, which leads to complications such as necrotizing colitis. Preterm infants who are fed exclusively with breast milk are much less likely to develop necrotizing enterocolitis.
Blood problems Premature babies are at risk of developing blood problems, such as anemia and jaundice in newborns. Anemia is a common condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells. Although all newborns have a decrease in the number of red blood cells during the first months of life, this decrease may be greater in premature babies.
2023-08-07 00:00:00
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