## Prematurity and Low Birth Weight: A Comprehensive Guide
### Introduction
Prematurity, or preterm birth, refers to the delivery of a baby before 37 completed weeks of gestation. Low birth weight (LBW) is a condition in which a newborn weighs less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces) at birth. Extreme prematurity and LBW can lead to serious health complications for the baby.
### Symptoms
**Preterm birth:**
– Respiratory distress
– Apnea (pauses in breathing)
– Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
– Hypothermia (low body temperature)
**LBW:**
– Hyperbilirubinemia (jaundice)
– Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
– Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) (inflammation and damage to the intestine)
– Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (bleeding in the brain)
### Diagnosis
Prematurity and LBW are diagnosed based on the baby’s gestational age and birth weight. Gestational age is determined by the mother’s last menstrual period, ultrasound measurements, or a physical examination of the baby. Birth weight is measured immediately after delivery.
**Tests:**
– Ultrasound: Can determine gestational age and check for signs of fetal growth restriction (FGR) or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
– Amniocentesis: May be used to check for genetic abnormalities or infections.
### Prevention
**Maternal risk factors:**
– Young maternal age (<18 years)
- Advanced maternal age (>35 years)
– Multiple pregnancies
– Pregnancy complications (e.g., preeclampsia, gestational diabetes)
**Fetal risk factors:**
– Genetic abnormalities
– Intrauterine infections
– Placental problems
### Treatment
Premature and LBW infants typically require specialized care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Treatment may include:
– Mechanical ventilation
– Oxygen therapy
– Phototherapy (light therapy)
– Intravenous (IV) fluids
– Enteral feeding
### Vaccinations
Preterm infants may require additional vaccines to protect against infections, such as:
– Rotavirus vaccine
– Influenza vaccine
– Meningococcal B vaccine
### Complications
**Short-term:**
– Respiratory problems (e.g., chronic lung disease)
– Jaundice
– Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (eye damage)
**Long-term:**
– Developmental disabilities
– Neurocognitive impairment
– Cerebral palsy
### Doctors Typically Involved
* Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN)
* Neonatologist
* Pediatrician
### Related Terms
– Preterm labor: Labor that begins before 37 weeks of gestation.
– Preterm delivery: The birth of a baby before 37 weeks of gestation.
– Fetal growth restriction (FGR): A condition in which the fetus does not grow at a normal rate.
– Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR): Another term for FGR.
