Preemie Health Resources
Taking care of babies is a huge job and a task that needs to be taken seriously. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you out. Here are just a few.
Heart problems
During the early years of life, babies born before 37 weeks gestation are at increased risk for heart problems. This is because their hearts do not develop properly. Depending on the type of congenital heart defect, treatment may be necessary.
One of the most common heart defects in premature babies is a patent ductus arteriosus or PDA. A baby with this type of defect has an opening between the pulmonary artery and the descending aorta. The opening allows the mother’s blood to provide oxygen. However, the valves between the chambers do not form properly. As a result, blood can leak into the wrong part of the heart. Symptoms of a PDA can include a murmur, heart enlargement, or cardiac arrhythmia.
Another problem is tricuspid atresia or TA. This is when the heart’s tricuspid valve does not function. This results in a decreased flow of blood to the rest of the body. In order to improve the blood flow to the lungs, surgery may be required. The surgeon may use a stent to open the aorta.
A child with a truncus arteriosus may also need medicines to help increase the strength of the heart muscle. Some babies may also need heart surgery to bypass part of the heart.
Other heart problems in preemies may be caused by structural abnormalities. These can lead to high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. If left untreated, these conditions can also be dangerous.
Brain bleeding
Various factors, including medical negligence, can lead to brain bleeding in preemies. Some bleeds are mild, while others can be quite serious. These bleeds may cause developmental problems or even death.
The most common bleeds are in grades 1, 2, and 3. The grade 1 bleed is the mildest and is characterized by a small amount of bleeding. The grade 2 bleed involves a large amount of bleeding but the blood is not directly touching the brain tissue. The grade 3 bleed involves blood pressing against the brain tissue.
There are many complications associated with brain bleeds, including learning problems, speech difficulties, and hydrocephalus. Children with brain bleed also have lower IQs and test scores. These babies will likely require a lot of care. The cost of caring for a child with a bleed is very high.
Another study published in the Journal of Perinatology found that preemies who were given steroids before birth had a lower risk of experiencing a brain bleed after birth. This study followed a group of 75 preemies. They were compared to 130 full-term infants. They had a mean birth weight of about seven pounds. These babies were born at a mean gestational age of 27 weeks.
The study was conducted at nine hospitals. The infants were subjected to cranial ultrasound scanning within the first seven days of life. They were also tested for mild cognitive impairment at a later date. They were then followed up for a year and a half.
Lung problems
Despite advances in perinatal medicine, there are still gaps in our understanding of the respiratory diseases that affect premature infants. For example, our knowledge of adult survivors of prematurity is limited, and the nature of lung disease in survivors has not been thoroughly studied.
Survivors of prematurity may have neurodevelopmental or bone disease, airflow obstruction, or a combination of conditions. This requires us to dissect the individual components of lung disease and tailor treatments to maximize the quality of life.
We know that bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disorder that can develop in premature babies. Although a relatively rare condition, some infants may develop BPD after being treated for respiratory distress syndrome or for other conditions. Some children also develop asthma-like diseases later in life.
Most premature babies develop their lungs by the time they reach the second year of life, although they will still need follow-up care once they leave the neonatal intensive care unit. Many will require mechanical ventilation for a few months. Others will need supplemental oxygen, and some will be on respiratory medications.
Survivors of prematurity are at high risk for a number of extrapulmonary co-morbidities, including pulmonary hypertension, systemic hypertension, and bone disease. In addition, some may have retinopathy or a neurodevelopmental disability.
For these reasons, the goal of the Post-preemie Lung Disease Clinic at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is to minimize the presence of comorbidities and maximize lung function. The clinic is staffed by pediatric pulmonologist Sharon McGrath-Marrow, a 28-year veteran of caring for children with lung disease.
Liver problems
Despite the availability of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), premature babies may remain sick with liver problems. They may also be at risk for intestinal failure. Identifying and treating these preemie liver problems may prevent the need for TPN.
The incidence of liver dysfunction in the NICU is quite high. While the causes vary, many common causes include infection, genetic disease, and cardiac dysfunction. Infection and genetic disease are often multifactorial, so the diagnosis of liver disease requires consideration of the multiple comorbidities and early physiology of the infant.
In addition, neonatal hemochromatosis is a common cause of liver failure in newborns. This condition is characterized by abnormal accumulation of iron in the fetus, causing liver damage. If not treated, neonatal hemochromatosis can lead to fetal loss, additional complications, and death.
During pregnancy, the fetus accumulates iron and it accumulates in the liver, pancreas, and other organs. In addition, iron builds up in the blood, causing swelling of the abdomen. It is important to evaluate a preterm baby’s liver for underlying liver disease, as well as to investigate other organs.
When a preterm infant’s liver is damaged, it is unable to eliminate bilirubin, a yellow pigment, from the body. This pigment is present in the urine and is associated with jaundice. The liver is unable to remove this bilirubin, and it can accumulate in the brain and tissues. In some cases, it can cause brain damage.
Dressing them in layers
Whether you are dressing your newborn for the first time or restocking your baby’s closet, you will want to make sure that you are doing the right thing for the baby’s health and comfort. To help you along, here are some tips on dressing preemies in layers.
The best way to dress preemies in layers is to make sure that they are wearing the correct types of clothing. The main reason for this is that small child are susceptible to hot or cold temperatures. While this is true of all babies, those born prematurely have a particularly difficult time adjusting to changes in temperature. The best way to keep them warm is to keep the room temperature around 72 degrees. In addition, you may want to consider investing in a vapor barrier for your child’s crib. This will prevent moisture from penetrating the mattress and causing a fire.
You’ll need to keep track of your child’s temperature and be able to react in a timely manner to avoid a panicked situation. While this can be a pain, it’s also important to remember that a baby’s health is your top priority. In short, your baby deserves the best care in the world. To ensure that they get the best, you should plan ahead and make the most of the time you have to spare. With the proper planning and preparation, you’ll be on your way to having a warm and happy baby!
Coping with their emotions
Having a baby in the NICU can be a stressful experience. The good news is that the hospital staff are there to support you. The not-so-good news is that you may have to endure an intense period of isolation.
Some families end up in the NICU for weeks on end. They may have a hard time leaving the hospital because of the stress. The good news is that you will learn some things about your child.
The best way to cope with your feelings is, to be honest with yourself. Your NICU staff will be able to provide insights into your emotional state. You should also talk to your family members. They can help you understand how to cope with your emotions and offer you advice.
It’s also helpful to find out what you can do for yourself. You can learn about the different ways to change your nappy and other techniques to make caring for your infant easier. Getting the help you need to cope with your premature baby will be a much more rewarding experience.
The most important thing to do is to learn the correct steps to take for your family. A neo-natal physician or neonatologist can also provide insight into your preemie’s medical condition. They can also tell you about the different ways to improve your relationship with your child.
The best thing to do is to learn how to identify the signs of your preemie’s health. It’s also a good idea to find out what you can do to keep your child safe.
Health Sources:
Health A to Z. (n.d.). HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/az/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
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Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
