Common Health Challenges in Premature Babies and How to Manage Them

Breathing Problems and Lung Growth

The most common issue in premature babies is the breathing problem related to lungs, and it’s a big concern to many parents. Since lung development happens all through the pregnancy, premature babies will probably have issues with breathing on their own.

Many premature babies have low levels of surfactant, a nature-made substance that helps air sacs in lungs to stay open. If there isn’t enough surfactant, it is hard to breathe and diseases like Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) can occur.

How to Manage?

• Oxygen supply or lung exercise
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
• Surfactant replacement therapy when necessary
• Close observation in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

As the lungs get stronger, almost all the children develop better breathing rhythms and eventually they need less and less support.

Difficulty Maintaining Body Temperature 

Premature babies usually have very little fat in their bodies. Compared to full-term babies, their body temperature is weakly controlled, which may raise the risk of hypoglycemia and extra strain on the body.

How to Manage?

• Temperature-controlled incubators
• Warm blankets and protective clothing
• The use of a thermometer at regular intervals
• Skin-to-skin contact, also called Kangaroo Care

Besides better temperature control, skin-to-skin care helps parents and their baby bond emotionally and feel comforted.

Feeding and Digestive Challenges

Feeding early babies can be a real problem since the coordination required for sucking, swallowing and breathing is a complex activity, which only gets fully developed at a late stage of pregnancy. Also their digestive tracts might be quite sensitive and immature.

Because of this, some newborns might face difficulties in gaining weight and may even need specialized feeding assistance.

How to Manage?

• Tube feeding in the very first days
• Slowly moving towards oral feeding
• Prefer breast feeding
• Regular assessment of feeding tolerance and growth

Breast milk is a source of multiple essential nutrients and antibodies that not only aid digestion but also lower the risk of several complications.

Jaundice in Premature Babies

Premature babies often experience jaundice since their liver is not developed enough to effectively metabolize bilirubin which starts making the skin and eyes appear yellow. 

Although slight jaundice usually goes away without treatment, elevated levels of bilirubin should be treated immediately to avoid serious consequences.

How to Manage?

• Phototherapy with special blue lights
• Frequent blood tests to check bilirubin levels
• Sufficient feeding to assist in removing excess bilirubin

Most patients show great improvement after treatment and regular observation for the condition is also recommended.

Brain and Developmental Concerns

In the last few weeks of pregnancy the brain develops extremely quickly. Because of this, babies born early may have a high risk to developmental delay, learning difficulties or neurological problems.

Although this might not happen to every premature baby.

They may grow up and not have any problems, yet regular checkups for any possible problems can help identify any concerns early.

How to Manage?

• Assessments of development during infancy & childhood 
• Early intervention programs 
• Physical, occupational, or speech therapy, when needed 
• A supportive and loving home environment.

Early intervention can have a major impact on the child’s future development.

Increased Susceptibility to Infections

An immune system of a premature baby is not as strong as a full-term infant’s one. Consequently, they are highly vulnerable to infections, especially within the first months after birth.

How to Manage?

• Maintaining very clean conditions at NICU and at home
• Getting vaccinated as per doctor’s advice
• Meeting with sick people should be avoided
• Frequent visits to the doctor

Parents should get in touch with the doctor without wasting any time, if they see symptoms like fever, not feeding well, extreme tiredness and breathing difficulty in their kids.