Premature Babies: Causes and Care

Another prominent contributor to infant mortality on a global scale is premature birth. Premature babies is the prevalent term for these individuals.

Preterm babies: who are they?

Preterm babies are those delivered prior to 37 weeks of gestation. Multiple classifications of premature babies exist according to the duration of time the fetus has spent in the uterus. In particular:

A preterm baby can be:

• Late preterm, born between 34 and 36 completed weeks of pregnancy.
• Moderately preterm, born between 32 and 34 weeks of pregnancy.
• Very preterm, born between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy.
• Extremely preterm, born before 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Most premature births happen in the late preterm stage.

Preterm infants are those who are delivered prior to the specified due date as a result of the initiation of labor contractions. A cesarean section is frequently required when the mother’s condition deteriorates; as a result, preterm babies are frequently delivered.

Consequences of their preterm status necessitate that these infants endure a variety of issues for the duration of their lives:

• Absence of any learning aptitude
• Inadequate hearing capabilities
• A lack of proper vision

An estimated 13.4 million babies were born too early in 2020. That is more than 1 in 10 babies. Approximately 900 000 children die in 2019 of complications of preterm birth (1). Many survivors face a lifetime of disability, including learning disabilities and visual and hearing problems.

Children under 5 years of age die most frequently from prematurity around the world. There is a stark disparity in survival rates around the world. Half of all babies born at or below 32 weeks (2 months early) die because they lack feasible, cost-effective care such as warmth, breastfeeding support, and basic treatment for infections and breathing difficulties. Most of these babies survive in high-income countries. There is an increased burden of disability among preterm babies who survive the neonatal period because of suboptimal use of technology in middle-income settings.

What causes a premature birth or birth date of a baby?

Although some causes of preterm birth are understood, not all of them are. Preterm births can occur for any given reason.

Occasionally, a Cesarean section is performed prior to the due date due to infection or other complications resulting from the expectant woman’s physical condition.

If the mother experiences recurrent pregnancies, infections, chronic diabetes, or hypertension, her child may be born prematurely.

On the contrary, premature births are rarely attributed to any discernible cause. Understanding the causes of premature birth requires additional study.

When and where are preterm births more common?

The maximum prevalence of preterm babies is observed in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Despite the fact that this issue has now reached a global level. Where preterm infants are born determines their likelihood of survival. In a low-income country such as Bangladesh, for instance, over ninety percent of excess preterm infants (those born before 28 weeks) perish. 10%, in contrast, perish in developed nations such as the United States.

How can this preterm birth be prevented?

Pregnant women must prioritize their health above all else. A healthy mother is rumored to be capable of delivering a fully developed infant. It is feasible to avert the premature delivery of the fetus provided that the expectant mother does not experience any significant physical complications. In the event of a preterm birth, it is imperative that the mother maintains good health in order to provide extensive postnatal care for the infant and mitigate the risk of future complications.

The guidelines for maintaining the health of expectant women, as established by the World Health Organization (WHO), aim to mitigate the risk of preterm birth.

• Consume an abundance of nutritious and healthful foods while expectant.
• It is prohibited to use tobacco products.
• In order to ascertain the gestational age of a woman and determine whether or not she has conceived multiple times, an initial ultrasound is ideal.
• Throughout your pregnancy, you must see your physician a minimum of eight times. Therefore, it is possible to proactively identify and prevent risk factors such as infection.

Medical procedures are implemented to safeguard infants from developing head problems, respiratory issues, or other infections subsequent to delivery, in cases where a mother delivers a baby prematurely or is at risk of doing so. Potential treatments include:

For preterm prolapse of the membranes (PPROM), antibiotics and tocolytic treatment are administered during labor to prevent preterm delivery.

The implementation of novel preterm infant care strategies was advocated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022.

• The infant should be placed on the mother’s breast as soon as it is delivered; at this time, the infant is extremely dependent on the mother’s breast. Kangaroo Mother Care refers to this practice.
• Without delay, initiate breastfeeding for the infant. 
• Constant positive airway pressure (CPAP) for respiratory use. Therefore, the infant must be supplied with a substantial quantity of oxygen to prevent respiratory distress.
• Caffeine should be administered to preterm infants with respiratory difficulties. The mortality rate of infants born preterm or with a low birth weight can potentially be decreased with the use of this medication.

Children require the finest care from their mothers and families. These infants can soon recover with the appropriate care. Constant proximity between the infant and the mother is required. Aside from critical illness, never be separated from the mother. Infants of this nature require the mother’s breast milk. It is recommended that the mother engage in consistent breastfeeding, allow the child to be exposed to sunlight, bathe the child on schedule, safeguard the child from extreme temperatures (both cold and heat), maintain a clean environment for the entire family, and protect the child’s sleeping area from germs. The infant will recover rapidly if these are adhered to and superior care is provided. Constantly supporting the child’s family, seasoned health professionals should pay a home visit and offer guidance to family members.

World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.

Aiming to decrease premature babies mortality and child health issues is a commitment of the World Health Organization (WHO). Collaboration has been pledged by its member nations and partners as well.

Regarding how to treat expectant women, reduce the risk of preterm birth, and provide care for preterm and low birth weight infants, the World Health Organization conducts ongoing research and updates information on a regular basis. In order for mothers to be able to provide the baby with the utmost appropriate care.

References.

1. Ohuma E, Moller A-B, Bradley E, et al. National, regional, and worldwide estimates of preterm birth in 2020, with trends from 2010: a systematic analysis. Lancet. 2023;402(10409):1261-1271. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00878-4.