Premature Birth Flashcards
Premature Birth
Child born before the 37th week of prenacy
- Have complicated medical problems
- Earlier a child is born the more likely they are to develop complications
Late Preterm Births
Babies born between 34 and 36 weeks of gestation
Very Preterm Births
Babies born during less than 32 weeks of gestation
Extremely Preterm Births
Babies born at or before 25 weeks
Needs of Premature babies
- Need to stay in the hospital longer and possibly in special care unity (NICU))
- Preterm children may immediately need help with feeding and adapting to life outside of their mother
Prematurity can result in many…
Short-term and long-term complications that can be addressed by an OT in the hospital setting or after discharge in an outpatient or home setting
Symptoms of Prematurity
- Small size
- Sharp-looking features
- Lanugo covering musch of the body
- Low body temp
- Labored breathing
- Lack of suck-swallow reflex
Risk Factors for Premature Birth
- Previous preterm birth
- Being pregnant with multiples
- Short duration between pregnancies
- Tobacco and drig use
- Infections in the mother
- Mother having chronic conditions such as diabetes, high BP, and stressful life events
Short-term complications of prematurity
- Breathing problems
- Heart problems
- Brain problems
- Temperature control problems
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Blood problems
- Metabolism problems
- Immune system problems
Long-term complications of prematurity
- Cerebral palsy
- Impaired learning
- Vision problems
- Hearing problems
- Dental problems
- Behavioral and psychological problems
- Chronic health issues
- Also at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome
What is the incidence rate of Prematurity?
- 13% of all pregnancies globally result in premature birth, accounting for:
- The majority of all neonatal deaths
- 50% of all neonatal neurodevelopmental conditions including cerebral palsy
What are the contributing factors to preterm birth?
- Maternal and Socioeconomic factors:
- Fetal Health Factors:
Maternal and Socioeconomic Factors (contributing factors to preterm birth)
- Fertility assistance such as in vitro fertilization and multiple gestation births from fertility drugs
- Maternal age above 36 years, or below 18 years of age, maternal infections, poor prenatal care, history of previous preterm births, preeclampsia, smoking and other substance use, poverty
Fetal Health Factors (contributing factors to preterm birth)
Congenital anomalies or in utero injuries to the developing fetus, Rh incompatibility
Prevention of Preterm Low Birth Weights
- Early identification of women at risk – offering education and prenatal health care
- Early detection of pre-term labor and use of antenatal steroid therapy
Low-birth weight (LBW)
Birth weight less than 2,500 grams (5 ½ lbs)
Very low-birth weight (VLBW)
Birth weight less than 1,500 grams (3 ½ lbs)
Extremely low-birth weight (ELBW)
birth weight less than 800 grams (1 ¾ lbs)
-Also referred to as a micropreemie