The pregnancy period is a very crucial stage when the mother is facing specific hormonal changes. Blood pressure fluctuations, dietary problems, sugar levels, etc., are other serious things that can make pregnancy problematic.

Sometimes any of these problems or some other sudden ailments can interrupt and result in the birth of a child before due time. When a baby is born over three weeks before the due date predicted for them, this is considered a preterm birth. Put another way; birth is considered preterm if it takes place before the beginning of the 37th week of pregnancy.

Babies born prematurely, particularly those born exceptionally early, face various challenging medical issues. 

Complications associated with premature birth are often diverse; however, the risk of problems increases in proportion to the newborn’s gestational age.

• Premature infants can benefit from hearing familiar voices, which may aid in calming and stimulating brain development.
• The NICU environment is designed to replicate a womb-like atmosphere, with controlled lighting and noise levels.
• Preterm infants are at a higher risk for developing conditions like ADHD and sensory processing disorders later in life.
• Delayed cord clamping at birth has been found to benefit premature babies by improving their iron stores and circulation.
• Specialized therapies like occupational and physical therapy are often used to enhance motor skills in premature infants.

If you give birth to a premature baby, it is quite probable that your child will need an extended stay in the hospital. Your newborn may be admitted to a preterm birth infant incubator in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or an intermediate care nursery. It depends on the level of medical attention needed by it. 

There, your infant is kept under special observation by medical professionals who have received training in treating premature infants. 

Your infant could need more assistance eating and adjusting in the first few days following birth. This is because a premature baby cannot suck and swallow anything. Afterward, your doctor will assist the mother with further care of the child. A unique care plan is also designed that has to be implemented for your child.

Even while not all preterm newborns encounter troubles, having a premature birth may create both short-term and long-term health concerns for the baby. The greater the risk of difficulties, the earlier a baby is delivered in the term of pregnancy. Weight at birth is an essential factor.

While the symptoms of certain conditions could be immediately apparent after delivery, others might not surface until much later. 

The following are some issues that might arise in the first few weeks after preterm birth:

Because of their underdeveloped respiratory systems, preemie infants can have a problem with breathing. The infant can develop respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). In this syndrome, the baby’s lungs are deficient in surfactant. Surfactant is a material that makes it possible for the lungs to expand. RDS occurs when the lungs cannot expand and contract appropriately.

Babies born too soon may also be at risk for developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a lung condition. 

In addition, certain premature infants may suffer from a condition known as apnea, which is characterized by extended pauses in their breathing.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and low blood pressure are the two types of congenital heart defects that most often affect preterm infants (hypotension). PDA refers to a persistent opening between the pulmonary artery and the aorta. This heart defect may cause a heart murmur, heart failure, and other issues if not addressed. 

However, most of the time, the hole in the heart will heal on its own. The intravenous fluids, medication, and even blood transfusions prescribed for little patients with low blood pressure may need to be adjusted.

In premature infants, there is a higher chance that it may suffer from bleeding in the brain, known as an intraventricular hemorrhage. Most hemorrhages are modest and resolve, with little to no consequence in the near term. 

However, some newborns may have more extensive bleeding in the brain, which may cause irreversible brain damage.

Babies born prematurely might experience a fast loss of body heat. They do not have the same amount of fat stored in their bodies as a full-term infant, and they cannot generate enough heat to compensate for the heat lost through their skin. 

When the body’s core temperature drops to an unusually low level, this condition is referred to as hypothermia.

When a preterm newborn experiences hypothermia may lead to respiratory issues and low blood sugar levels. A premature infant may spend all the energy gained from feedings to maintain their body temperature. 

Because of this, smaller premature infants need the additional heat provided by a warmer or an incubator until they can grow into larger bodies and maintain their body temperature without external assistance.

Necrotizing enterocolitis is one issue that might occur in premature newborns because of their undeveloped gastrointestinal systems (NEC). After they eat, preterm infants are at risk for developing this potentially life-threatening disorder, which occurs when the cells that line the gut wall get damaged. 

Babies born prematurely given nothing but breast milk have a much-decreased chance of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Babies born prematurely have an increased chance of developing blood disorders such as anemia and jaundice in newborns. Anemia is a somewhat common disorder that occurs when there are not enough red blood cells in the body. 

There is a gradual decline in the number of red blood cells in the circulation of all newborns during the first few months of life. The case of premature babies is different; this decline may be more pronounced in premature infants.

An excess of bilirubin, a yellow chemical that comes from either the liver or red blood cells causes the yellowing of a newborn’s skin and eyes, known as jaundice. Jaundice is most often seen in newborns. 

Several factors may lead to jaundice, but premature infants are more likely to exhibit the condition.

 Babies born prematurely often have issues with their metabolism. Some preterm infants can gain meager sugar in their blood (hypoglycemia). This is possible because preterm newborns often have lower levels of glucose stored in their bodies compared to full-term babies. 

The body mechanism of premature infants is slow. They face difficulty and greater time in transforming the body’s glucose into active energy.

A weakened immune system, which is prevalent in preterm newborns, might increase the likelihood of contracting an illness. An infection already gone into the circulation may swiftly cause sepsis in a preterm newborn. 

Sepsis is an infection that has already spread to the bloodstream.

In the long run, preterm delivery might lead to several issues, making the developmental care for premature infants quite important. Following complications may arise:

Cerebral palsy is a disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture. There are multiple factors for this condition. Mostly, the leading cause is abnormal development of the brain. 

Another reason can be some damage to the brain at the developmental stage, either early in the pregnancy or while the baby is still young and immature.

Early term infants may have a higher risk of having specific behavioral or psychiatric issues. In addition, they experience developmental delays compared to children born at full term. Recognition of this reality may also make them feel inferior.

It is more probable for premature kids to fall behind in various developmental milestones than their full-term counterparts. A child born preterm has a greater chance of developing learning impairments once they reach school age.

Retinopathy of prematurity is a condition that may develop in premature babies. This can cause vision problems (retina). Sometimes the aberrant retinal arteries leave a scar on the retina over time, pushing it out of place. 

The condition known as retinal detachment occurs when the retina is pulled away from the back of the eye. If the condition goes undiagnosed, it can cause vision loss and even blindness.

Babies born prematurely have an increased likelihood of experiencing some hearing loss. Before they are discharged from the hospital, all their vital signs and senses are checked. Premature babies usually suffer hearing disorders which are then tried to solve as they grow.

There is an increased risk of dental problems developing in premature infants who have been critically ill. Some of these dental problems include delayed tooth eruption, tooth discoloration, and teeth that are not correctly aligned.

Compared to full-term infants, premature babies have a significantly higher risk of developing chronic health conditions. Some of these may necessitate hospitalization. Asthma usually is a widespread problem that these children suffer through. Related to this, feeding becomes a very challenging task for mothers as babies’ health depends upon it.

Even after growing up, such children remain prone to certain infectious diseases. However, if their health matters are dealt with seriously from the beginning, the situation remains under control. 

Infants born prematurely also have an increased risk of SIDS (the sudden infant death syndrome).

Several factors lead to premature delivery. Regular doctor visits, regular physical activity, and a balanced diet are important during pregnancy to keep complications from arising. If you have complications, there is a high chance of premature delivery which can cause serious health issues for both the mother and the baby. 

If a woman has had a premature delivery, it is likely that the next delivery will be preterm as well.