Circulatory Problems in Premature Infants

Premature infants are defined as any infant that is born before the 37th week of the pregnancy or any baby that has a low birth weight. Due to the frailty and underdeveloped organs of these tiny youngsters, a number of medical conditions can occur. To ensure that these infants receive the best care possible, most "premmies' are moved to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) immediately after birth. In these departments, doctors and nurses that are specially trained in the care of premature children can monitor their condition and treat any medical complications that may arise.

Premature babies usually have a very low immune system, making it impossible for them to fight off common infections and viruses. By placing these children in sterilized incubators, the medical professionals can protect the babies from being exposed to any of these potentially dangerous disease-causing agents.

Many "premmies" often have a yellow tone to their skin. This coloring is caused by jaundice, which is defined as an excessive amount of bilirubin in the blood. By placing the infant under a special light that targets this chemical, the doctor can use this form of phototherapy for a week to ten days and can eliminate the jaundice.

If you have ever observed premature infants in the hospital, you may notice that they are wearing hats, booties, and other pieces of clothing. These items are a necessity due to the fact that many of these babies' bodies do not have the ability to maintain a normal body heat. These warmers as well as temperature-controlled incubators can ensure that these infants remain nice and warm.

As well as these minor medical conditions, premature babies are at a higher risk of developing some serious circulatory problems as well. A "premmie" may have an Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH), which causes bleeding in the brain. This occurs most commonly in infants that were born before the 34th week of pregnancy and is caused by the immature blood vessels' inability to withstand the circulatory changes that take place during the labor process. If a mother is going to give birth in this early stage of her pregnancy, the doctor can administer medications to her that can effectively lower the risk of this type of bleeding in the baby. If IVH does occur, it may lead to more serious complications such as learning difficulties, mental retardation, and cerebral palsy.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) is another serious condition that can affects premature infants. The ductus arteriosus is a blood vessel that delivers blood from the lungs into the aorta in unborn children since they do not need to have the ability to breathe until after birth. In a full term pregnancy, this vessel closes on its own, preparing the child for its life in an oxygen environment. With these "premmies," however, the vessel is still open, causing a heart disorder. To rectify this problem, the doctor can administer medication to the baby that can slow and stop the production of prostaglandin E, the chemical that is responsible for keeping this blood vessel open.

Premature babies may suffer from a number of medical problems due to the fact that their less-developed bodies are pushed into the outside world before they are prepared for it. The excellent care and attention that is given in a NICU can help to ensure that these tiny babies grow into normal, happy children.