Chronic lung disease
- also called bronchopulmonary dysplasia or (BPD) is one of the more serious
complications.This most commonly affects premature infants who require ongoing treatment with supplemental oxygen. Babies at risk for BPD include those who had severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and needed long term treatment with breathing equipment and oxygen.
It is found in X-ray that these babies develope fluid in their lungs, scarring, and lung damage. These babies are treated with medications that make breathing easier and are slowly weaned from the ventilator. Many of these children develope chronic lung disease resembling asthma but can improve over the first 2 years of life.
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| My Son at 2 Months of Age |
Infections
These premature babies can't fight off bacteria, viruses, and other organisms that can cause infections due to their immature immune system. Pneumonia (lung infection), sepsis (blood infection), and meningitis (infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) are common in premature babies. These are very serious infections and must be attended to immediately. Babies can get these infections from their mothers at birth or they may become infected after birth. These infections are treated with antibiotics and antivirals. Meningitis is especially traumatic because it can turn deadly.
Intraventricular hemmorhage (IVH)
Bleeding in the brain (IVH) occurs in some premature babies, with the smaller babies weighing about 3 pounds or less, at the highest risk. These bleeds generally occur in the first 3 days of life and are usually diagnosed with an ultrasound examination. More severe bleeds can make the fluid filled structures (ventricles) in the brain expand rapidly, causing pressure on the brain. This can lead to cerebral palsy as well as learning and behavioral problems. However most brain bleeds are mild and resolve themselves with no or few lasting problems.In the more severe cases, the surgeon may insert a tube into the brain to drain the fluid and reduce the risk of brain damage. In milder cases, drugs can sometimes reduce the fluid buildup.
Jaundice
Premature babies can likely develope jaundice because their liver is too immature to remove the waste product called bilirubin from their blood. Premature babies may be more sensitive to the ill effects of excess bilirubin. Babies with jaundice have a yellow color to their skin and eyes. However jaundice is usually not serious and harmless but if the bilirubin level gets too high, it can cause brain damage.
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| My Premature Son at 1 Month of Age |
This can be prevented because blood tests can show bilirubin levels that are too high. Then the baby can be treated with special lights (phototherapy) that help the baby eliminate bilirubin. Occasionally, the baby may need a blood transfusion.
I told the story of my sons birth in my first article. He was premature and jaundiced at birth. He stayed in the "house of lights" for about 2 weeks. Believe me when I say that premature babies are a hand full. It seems like it is one thing after the other. Thank God, my son pulled through it all and turned out to be a healthy baby. At 2 months old, he had caught up most of his weight and wasn't so wrinkled and bruised looking. He now is a healthy young man.
I will cover more of the complications of premature babies in my next article. Since most parents aren't prepared for a premature baby, they find that they don't have clothes small enough to fit. They also don't have diapers small enough. Nothing fits! I will carry a preemie department with clothing and sleepwear in my new store, www.CarolsBabyProducts.com. Please visit my store where you will find great discounted prices, and just about everything clothing for all ages of babies. Hope to see you there.
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