Prematurity: Flashcards
When are premature infant born before?
<37 weeks
Give the classifications of low birth rates:
Low Birth Weight (LBW) - <2500g
Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) - <1500g
Extremely Low Birth Weight (ELBW) - <1000g
What does Prematurity contribute towards?
- Largest cause of PND (Post Natal Depression) (>70%)
- Develpmental delay
- Visual impairment
- Chronic lung disease
- Cerebral palsy
(VLBW infants are x10 more likely to be handicapped than >2500g)
Give 4 ways which prematurity survival can be improved:
Improvements in neonatal intensive care:
- Antenatal steroids
- Artificial surfactant
- Ventilation
- Antibiotics
What are the causes of pre-term delivery?
Spontaneous (70%) - - Preterm labour - PPROM (Preterm premature rupture of membranes) - Cervical weakness - Amnionitis Indicated - - Medical/obstetric disorders (20-30%)
List 5 factors which could contribute to pre-term labour:
(50% have no apparent risk factor)
- Antepartum Haemorrhage (APH - includes placenta praevia and placental abruption)
- Previous pre-term birth
- Cervical Weakness
- Infections
- Smoking
What is the treatment of bacterial vaginosis and why is it done?
Rx with metronidazole and erythromycin.
This reduced the rate of spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB).
Give the 3 different types of prevention and two examples of a measure that can be taken in the attempt to prevent preterm birth (PTB):
Primary prevention:
- Smoking and STD prevention
- Cervical assessment at 20-24 weeks
Secondary prevention:
- Transvaginal cervical US
- Progesterone (pessary or IM)
Tertiary prevention:
- Corticosteroids
- Antibiotics/tocolysis (prevention of labour) meds
Outline what can be done for Rx of those at risk of Preterm labour (4):
- Treat cause is possible
- Assess foetal maturity
- Consider tocolysis and give steroids
- Decide best route of delivery
