What is a premature baby?
Premature babies are defined as those born between twenty four and
thirty seven weeks of gestation. The chances of survival for a
baby born before twenty four weeks of pregnancy are rather slim.
Premature babies are even more vulnerable than full-term babies
and need to be treated with special care. These tiny, frail
creatures are often born with problems, as many of their faculties
are not fully developed.
What are the problems associated with
premature babies?
The common problems associated with premature babies are:
Respiratory distress syndrome. Premature babies have difficulty
in gas exchange as a result of protein and fluid collection within
the small air sacs and the collapse of the sacs themselves.
Difficulty in feeding because of weakness.
Greater likelihood of contracting jaundice and increased
vulnerability to its effects.
More susceptible to infection.
Congenital defects, including those that affect the heart.
Danger of bleeding in the brain leading to the development of
hydrocephalus (dilatation of the fluid-filled cavities or
ventricles in the brain).
These babies are so fragile that doctors must tread gingerly when
it comes to taking care of them. Sometimes the solution can lead
to a further problem. There have been cases of a baby's lung been
blown out or scarred as a result of over-inflation of the lung by
a respirator. Oxygen therapy has been known to cause blindness or
impaired vision in these premature babies.
The smaller and less mature the premature baby is at birth, the
greater will be its problems in the long run. These babies can
develop cerebral palsy, mental retardation, learning disorders,
and vision, speech and hearing problems.
Premature babies require special care
Premature babies are put straight into intensive care. They are
usually kept in incubators. They require round-the-clock nursing.
They are fed intravenously and sometimes put on the respirator to
help them breathe if necessary. Their vital signs like blood
pressure, heart rate, breathing and pulse are closely monitored.
Premature babies are kept in intensive care till the doctors are
of the opinion that they are out of danger. Even after they have
been discharged from the hospital, these babies will require
periodic evaluations from paediatricians, neonatologists,
ophthalmologists and psychologists to nip any problems that crop
up in the bud.
A life and death decision
If premature labour could not be arrested, the next best thing the
doctors can do is to make sure that these frail babies survive and
have a normal life as far as possible. The advances in neonatal
care have increased the chances of survival of premature babies.
The catch is that the babies that survive are often severely
handicapped. Faced with a tiny, sick, premature baby, doctors are
in a quandary whether to do their utmost to ensure the baby's
survival or let nature take its course. While the baby may survive
there is no guaranteeing the quality of her life. She may be
physically or mentally handicapped. At the same time, it is very
difficult for both parents and doctors to take a decision to let
the baby die.
The doctors can help the parents make an informed decision about
their baby's life. The pros and cons of her survival should be
discussed threadbare because whichever way the decision goes there
is no turning back. Parents should also keep in mind that deciding
to save the baby could be a cruel decision if the baby is going to
be severely handicapped. In addition, they should consider how
caring for a handicapped child could exact a terrible toll on
their lives. They will also need to think about who will look
after the child if they are not around any longer.
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