12 Premature Birth Complications You Should Be Aware Of
When a woman gets pregnant, the last thing on her mind is a premature birth. But it happens!
There are various causes that can lead to the premature birth of your baby. But the first thing we need to understand is what exactly a premature birth is?
If your baby is born before the completion of 37 weeks of pregnancy, she will be considered a preterm baby. Preterm births have a few subcategories, based on the gestation age of the baby.
- A baby born before 28 weeks gestation is considered extremely premature.
- A baby born between 28 and 32 weeks is considered very premature.
- A baby born between 32 and 37 weeks is known as moderate preterm baby.
A baby born any time after the completion of 37 weeks is considered a full term baby.
Why Do Preterm Births Occur?
This is the first question that most parents ask when their baby is born preterm. Did they do something wrong? Well, there are a number of causes that can lead to premature birth. Here are the major reasons:
- Multiple pregnancies
- Infections
- Diseases like diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Genetic factors
But many times, premature births occur without any apparent cause.
[ Read : Infections During Pregnancy ]
No matter the cause, most premature babies have to deal with a number of health complications.
12 Premature Birth Complications:
First let us give you the good news. Not all premature babies experience complications. This is especially true if your baby is born after 32 weeks of gestation. The chances of survival go up dramatically after 28 weeks. There have been a number of cases where babies born as early as 25 weeks have lived on! This is the miracle of modern medicine.
But most premature babies do end up with a number of health complications. Some are short term and others manifest in the longer run.
Short Term Complications Of Premature Birth:
In the days and weeks following her birth, a premature baby might encounter the following difficulties:
1. Breathing Difficulties:
The biggest problem most premature babies’ face is breathing difficulties. The lung is one of the last organs to mature. If a baby is born before her lungs are fully functional, she may encounter breathing problems. This condition is more likely to affect babies born before 35 weeks. Without proper oxygen intake, other organs of the body can get affected too.
2. Heart Issues:
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) and low blood pressure (hypotension) are the most common heart problems faced by premature babies. PDA, if left untreated can cause excessive blood flow through the heart and cause heart failure.
3. Brain Problems:
If a baby is born before 28 weeks, she is at the risk of developing intraventricular hemorrhage – bleeding in the brain. Thankfully, most brain bleeds are mild and resolve with time. But if a baby experiences heavy brain bleeding, she can end up with permanent brain injury. Some brain bleeds even require operation to resolve the issue.
4. Difficulty Managing Body Temperature:
Most premature babies lack body fat. This makes it impossible for them to manage their body temperature. This is why most preemies tend to lose body heat rapidly. Why is that a problem? Well, a baby stands the risk of hypothermia if her body temperature dips too low. Hypothermia can make the blood sugar levels to drop. Not just that! When a preemie exerts all her energy just to stay warm, she cannot possibly gain weight and grow. That’s why many premature babies are placed inside incubators.
[ Read : Causes Of Low Birth Weight ]
5. Gastrointestinal Problems:
Preemies are at a greater risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). This is a potentially serious condition. It primarily occurs in premature babies after they start feeding. Premature babies who are breastfed have a much lower risk of developing NEC.
6. Blood Problems:
Preemies stand the risk of developing blood related problems such as anemia and infant jaundice. Both these issues are common and need a little medical intervention.
7. Weak Immune System:
Most newborns have a weak immune system. But for preemies, it can lead to life-threatening situations! A simple infection is all it takes to send a preemie to the hospital. This is why, many preemies are not allowed in public till they develop their immune system.
Long Term Complications Of Premature Birth:
Some complications take time to manifest. Here are a few long-term complications a preemie may encounter:
8. Cerebral Palsy:
Cerebral palsy is a common disorder among extremely premature babies. Babies with cerebral palsy show symptoms such as low muscle tone and delayed development.
9. Developmental Delays:
If you have a premature baby, stop comparing her with other full term babies. This is because most preemies encounter developmental delays. They are also likely to face learning disabilities at school.
10. Vision Problems:
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is another problem preemies born before 30 weeks may encounter. This disease causes blood vessels to swell and overgrow in the light-sensitive layer of nerves at the retina. If left undetected, ROP can cause retinal detachment, and in extreme cases blindness.
12. Hearing Issues:
Premature babies are at increased risk of hearing loss. So, make sure to get their hearing checked after you are discharged from the NICU.
[ Read : Hearing Loss In Babies ]
12. Other Problems:
Some other complications of a premature baby also include:
- Psychological problems.
- Dental Issues.
- Re-occurring infections.
- Asthma.
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Type 2 Diabetes.
The list may seem endless. But please do remember that not all premature babies face these issues. Taking care of a premature baby is a battle. But it is a battle worth fighting!
Do you know of any premature baby? Did she face any short or long term complications with premature birth? Share with us in the comments section below!
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