"Preterm infant" is the infant borne after the 28th week of pregnancy(when the foetus become viable),and before the 37th week from date of the last menstrual period.
Cause of premature labour before complation of normal intrauterine period is unknown.Certain factors may be associated with premature labour and delivery of preterm baby.The risk factors are related to mother and foetus.
Type of factors:
1.Maternal risk:
-Personal and social factors:
-age:mother below 16 and over 35 years are more exposed to premature labour.
-low socio-economic level:with poor living conditions and malnutrition,high-fertility pattern.
-overactivity,fatique and stress.
-Obstetric risk:
-short pregnancy spacing
-uterine abdominalities,uterine stretch.
-Maternal Morbidility:malnutrition,psychological disorders,chronic disease(heart disease,hypertention,infections) and trauma.
2.Foetal risk:
-At risk pregnancy:multiple pregnancy,congenital malformations.
-Complicated pregnancy
Characteristics of preterm delivery of the foetus:
-low body weight,usually but not necessarilly
-soft,red,wrinkled skin(with heavy lanugo hair)
-poor suckling and digestion
-undescended testicles,and other features of immaturity.
Other causes of premature delivery:
-increased risk of birth injuries and sequeles,when labour is usually difficult.
-blood disorders
-kernicterus:excessive destrruction of red blood cells may be associated with deposition of bilirubin in the basal ganglia of brain.The infant shows convulsions,and te case is fatal.
-retrorental fibroplasia:due to hyperoxygenation,when the infant is exposed to high oxygen concentration over long time in premature units.
-respiratory distress syndrome:due to deficiency of pulmonary surfactant that is required for expansion of alveoli.
-impaired mental development,and neurological disorders.
Prevention of Prematurity:
Have a early prenatal care to prevent premature labour.
Is necessary:
-adequate nutrition:balanced diet with restricted fat and common salt.
-diagnosis and management of maternal predisposing conditions,and complete rest in bed if is necessary.
-drug therapy(at the doctor indication)
air unit:unit must be air-tight and conditioned,desinfection of air,by ultraviolet lamps.
-the personnel,the mother and the visitors have to be free of infection(and is recomandated in first days of life of the baby a limited contact with the baby or handling,or visiter to not be allowed at all)
The water and articles used to prepair formulas and feed the baby must be sterile(water must be boild).
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