Every couple anticipates the joy of welcoming the newest member of the family. However, among all the festivities and preparations, the parents’ greatest concern is the foetus’s health. Even if everything goes perfectly from the beginning, it’s still possible that the baby will arrive far earlier than expected. These babies are termed as premature or preterm babies.
Each year, over 15 million preterm births occur worldwide. When a baby is born three or more weeks before his expected due date, he is considered premature. Premature birth happens before the 37th week of pregnancy. Depending on whether a baby is born early or late preterm newborns are classified as late preterm (births between 34 and 36 weeks), moderately preterm (births between 32 and 34 weeks), very preterm (births between 30 to 32 weeks), and extreme preterms (born before 28 weeks of completed pregnancy). Extreme premature babies face numerous health challenges.
Arriving earlier than anticipated can result in a number of issues for the babies. The infant has an increased risk of difficulties at birth, some of which may be noticeable right away and others of which may emerge later in life. Premature babies are more prone to a number of both short-term and long-term health problems, such as:
Premature birth problems in the initial weeks could include:
In the long term, premature birth may lead to the following complications:
Compared to full-term babies, premature babies require special care and consideration. Premature babies will most likely require a prolonged hospital stay in the hospital’s dedicated nursery unit. The newborn may have certain short-term or long-term health difficulties that need continuous care and monitoring in order to help the child adjust to life beyond the safe confines of the womb. In such cases, the NICU stays for these small babies must be prolonged, and they may also require additional special care and attention at home even after being released from the hospital.
Here are some tips for caring for a premature infant at home:
Temperature:
It is crucial to keep the infant warm because his low body temperature (hypothermia) could cause breathing problems. A premature newborn suffering from hypothermia uses the majority of the milk’s energy to keep himself warm. It is critical to keep the infant warm to avoid these and other issues like breathing difficulties. Some techniques for keeping a baby warm include:
The key to preventing breast cancer is to identify and minimise modifiable risk factors in our daily lives as much as possible. Timely screening will assist in detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages so that it can be successfully treated. Thanks to advances in medical research, one can successfully combat cancer. Today’s cancer survivors not only triumphed over the deadly illness, but they also have a good quality of life post-treatment. It is imperative to maintain optimism because, if you are mentally ready, your body will heal more efficiently.
Feeding:
Babies’ digestive systems may not be fully developed if they are born prematurely. As a result, many of these little babies have trouble feeding. These babies frequently have difficulties latching, sucking, and swallowing breast milk. In such instances, it is recommended that the babies be given expressed milk using paladai. It is recommended that at least eight feeds be given per day, with no more than three hours between them. Parents can also use milk fortifiers and multivitamin drops as prescribed by their doctor.
Sleep:
Sleep is essential for the formation of a premature baby’s five senses, neurological systems, and the structural growth of the brain. It is crucial to ensure the baby is in the supine position and is laying on a firm mattress without any pillows.
Protect the baby from infections:
Premature infants have relatively low immunity, making them more susceptible to infections. When touching the baby, it’s crucial to practise good hygiene practices like routine hand washing and sanitizer use. Parents should limit visitors and stay away from gatherings. Anyone suffering from an infection should keep a safe distance from babies. It is crucial to remember that even a simple peck on the baby’s face poses a danger to his life. Such inadvertent errors should be avoided at all costs.
Developmentally supportive care:
Developmentally supportive care is essential for lowering stress and fostering growth in the premature newborn. The fundamental idea behind developmentally supportive care is to stimulate the early-developing sensations of touch, smell, and taste while safeguarding the later-developing senses of hearing and vision. The growth and development of the baby will be aided by behaviours such as gentle handling, reduced noise levels, avoiding bright lights, and dimming the lights at night.
Regular follow-ups:
Regular assessments of the baby’s growth and development are strictly necessary. It’s crucial to stay in touch with the baby’s paediatrician. In order to monitor the infant’s growth throughout time, the paediatrician will do examinations such as hearing tests, newborn screening, a checkup for retinopathy of prematurity, a vision evaluation, and a neurodevelopmental assessment. Parents must make sure that they don’t skip any vaccination visits.
Dealing with the obstacles of preterm neonatal development is quite difficult for new parents. Your life can be completely upended by a preemie newborn. Even though it may seem like the most difficult thing in the world at times and you may want to cry while caring for a newborn, it will all be worth it in the end. The experience on the rollercoaster will stick in your memory the most. Your current struggles for the betterment of your baby’s health will pay off in the future. For the sake of the baby’s wellbeing, you should simply pay attention to and heed the advice of a licensed medical practitioner. Just trust your doctor and embrace your preemie.
About Author –
Dr. Sudha. B , Senior Consultant Neonatologist , Yashoda Hospitals – Hyderabad
MBBS,MD(PGIMER),DNBPediatrics, Fellowship in Neonatology
Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, is a condition that arises when the muscles…
Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty, or PTCA, is a minimally invasive surgery that opens blocked or…
Ankle ligaments are crucial cords that link foot bones to lower leg bones, ensuring stability…
Supermarkets today are flooded with a variety of cooking oils, each with different characteristics, such…
మాట్లాడటానికి, తినటానికి మరియు ముఖం అందంగా కనిపించటానికి నోరే కీలకం. శరీర పోషణకు అవసరమైన ఆహారం, పానీయాలు లోపలికి చేరేది…
అండాశయ తిత్తులు అనేవి అండాశయాల లోపల లేదా వాటి ఉపరితలంపై ద్రవంతో నిండిన సంచి లాంటి నిర్మాణాలు. ఆడవారికి రెండు…