What do doctors mean when they refer to an infant as being premature? A premature infant is a baby "that has spent less than 37 weeks in the womb." With that being said any baby born three weeks or more before the actual due date is characterized as being premature (Discovery Health 1) Figure 2 is an example of premature baby asleep in its incubator while under the care of the NICU staff. This baby is considered to be of medium size. Most babies admitted into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit range from this size to mucWhat is the NICU? The NICU stands for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This is a specialized place where infants are taken when they"re born too early. These individuals are provided with around the clock care by specialists on a daily basis. Infants born early are not as developed as a normal full term infant is, therefore, certain procedures are handled differently. "The environment in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit varies from unit to unit." Most units consist of "intense monitoring and care, special monitors and alarms, and occasionally bright fluorescent blue lights are used (Engle 4).".
Gavage Feeding.
Full term infants are usually able to eat using a bottle or by being breast-fed. For preemies this is not likely to happen, at least not right away. There are two different possible feeding types used in this unit. The first method is called Gavage Feeding, which is being fed through a narrow tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach (Zaichkin 146). The fluid in the tube consists of breast milk or fluid.
Intravenous Feeding.
The second method of feeding is Intravenous Feeding. This is more widely heard of. An intravenous feeding is being fed through an IV. It typically consists of sugar water. Within a few days or based upon the baby's progression, physicians will add sodium and potassium into the IV (Zaichkin 145).
Surfactant.
Those born premature usually are missing a large amount of surfactant.
Causes of Premature Births Too many babies are being born too soon. ... Some premature babies thrive and live healthy lives. ... Drugs disturb the normal sleep cycles of babies. ... Smoking while pregnant causes babies to be smaller than normal. ... A pregnant woman with the virus can pass HIV to her baby. ...
Just because a baby is born premature does not mean they will suffer long term learning problems. As a group premature babies have a lot of problems but realistically a lot of them actually turn out to be normal kids. Premature babies can live fully and as they grow strengthening their mental capacities. ... Premature babies brains are smaller, sometimes eight years after birth. ... An interesting fact is premature babies with brain bleeds are more likely to have lower IQ scores than ones that don't. ...
• Prematurity A baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered premature, that is, born before complete maturity. Slightly fewer than 12 percent of all babies are premature. ... Infections - premature infants are more susceptible to infection and may require antibiotics Premature babies can have long-term health problems as well. ... Premature babies can also have IUGR - these babies are both very small and physically immature. ... Any baby born prematurely is more likely to be very small. ...
There the baby is introduced to a room full of other critical babies and tons of nurses and doctors. ... Special needs baby can mean a variety of things, such as; prematurely, Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome, congenital heart disease, exposed bowel, etc Many times, like in premature babies, they need a nasal gastric tube put in for their feedings because they do not have enough energy to eat. ... Many of these babies need constant care, and parents find themselves not leaving the baby alone in the room, unlike a healthy baby. ... Just for a special needs baby it shows you how much more time, ener...
The decision to reproduce is a difficult and very scrutinized one; there is tons of information to consider when deciding to have a baby. There is the possibility of disease, infection, premature birth, miscarriage and birth defects. A good time to have a baby is when one is at a stable place, with a mate, career, and steady income. ... Babies require and deserve tons of thought, babies that are born into families that are unappreciative and not ready, could turn out unhappy or have problems as adults or teens. ...
How does cocaine hurt an unborn baby? ... When cocaine is used during the later stage of pregnancy it can cause premature labor. ... Studies show that women who use cocaine during pregnancy are at least twice as likely as other women to have a premature baby. Cocaine cuts the flow of nutrients and oxygen to the baby. When the baby is born it is much smaller then it would be otherwise. ...
Shaken Baby Syndrome is a form of child abuse. ... Children who are born premature and children with disabilities create more stress for parents. ... You can try to offer the baby a pacifier, take the baby for a walk in the stroller, or a ride in the car. You can hold the baby and walk, or rock the baby, sing to the baby; or play soft music. ... Letting a baby cry it out when you've had enough is safer then shaking or punishing a baby or a child. ...
Shaken Baby Syndrome is a form of child abuse. ... Children who are born premature and children with disabilities create more stress for parents. ... You can try to offer the baby a pacifier, take the baby for a walk in the stroller, or a ride in the car. You can hold the baby and walk, or rock the baby, sing to the baby; or play soft music. ... Letting a baby cry it out when you've had enough is safer then shaking or punishing a baby or a child. ...
