Premature infant
Alternative names:
prematurity, premie; preterm infant
Treatment:
When premature labor develops and cannot be stopped by medical intervention, plans for appropriate management of a premature baby and the mother are made, which may involve transport of the mother to a center with facilities to care for premature infants.
To assure support of the respiratory and cardiac systems and anticipate other common problems associated with prematurity, immediate evaluation and , if necessary, resuscitation takes place after delivery. The infant will be admitted to or transported to a high-risk nursery with personnel trained in the care of premature infants.
The infant is placed under a warmer or in an isolette with controlled temperatures where careful observation and care can be given.
Feeding may be administered by inserting a tube into the stomach, if the infant is unable to coordinate sucking and swallowing. Intravenous feeding may be indicated in extremely premature infants.
Depending on the degree of prematurity, the infant may not start breathing after birth, or respiratory efforts may be inadequate to expand the chest and deliver oxygen to the body. In such cases, a breathing tube is inserted into the infant's trachea, and artificial breathing is delivered by a respirator. Supplemental oxygen is given. (See Respiratory Distress Syndrome)
Nursery care is needed until the infant is able to take oral feedings, maintain body temperature, and achieve a body weight of about five pounds. However, other problems may complicate treatment, especially for very small infants, which could prolong the hospital stay.
Expectations (prognosis):
Prematurity was formerly a major cause of infant deaths. Improved medical and nursing
techniques have increased the survival of premature infants. A greater chance of survival is associated with increasing length of the pregnancy. Of babies born at 28 weeks gestation, approximately 80 percent survive. Prematurity is not without long term effects. A large proportion of infants who develop RDS as a result of prematurity have medical problems that persist into childhood or are permanent. As a rule, the more premature an infant, and the smaller the birth weight the more likelihood there is of complications and a bad outcome.
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Call you health care provider if you are pregnant and believe you are going into labor prematurely. If you are pregnant, and not receiving prenatal care, call your health care provider or the State Department of Health. Most Health Departments have programs to ensure that pregnant mothers, whether covered by insurance or not, able to pay or not, receive adequate prenatal care. They will direct you to the appropriate provider.
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