Premature Babies: Causes, Strengths, and Weaknesses

In the medical world, most of us are already familiar with the term premature babies. Premature babies are born before 37 weeks or earlier than the expected day. This condition can occur when uterine contractions cause the cervix to open, which leads the fetus or prospective baby into the birth canal.

It is called premature because the condition of the baby’s organs is not perfect. Especially various vital organs, such as the brain and lungs, to weight gain. Therefore, it needs intensive care. Let us know the causes, strengths, and weaknesses of babies born in a premature state below.

Causes of Premature Babies

The cause of premature babies is often not known for sure. However, premature rupture of membranes is one of the leading causes. In addition, several other factors cause it. For example, maternal health factors (experiencing blood clotting disorders, stress, nutritional deficiencies, physical injuries, having experienced miscarriages, and so on).

Then, there are pregnancy factors which include position abnormalities, premature detachment of the placenta, too much amniotic fluid, and other pregnancy factors. Other causes are also due to factors that involve the fetus, such as multiple pregnancies, the fetus has birth defects, impaired fetal development, and IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction).

Premature Baby Characteristics

Physically, babies with premature birth will look different from babies born usually. The following are the characteristics:

• Has a smaller body size with a slightly larger head size.
• On the body, fine hair grows thickly, covering it.
• His body shape is not as round as a normal-born baby’s due to lack of body fat.
• Have a low body temperature.
• Due to immature lung development, it is generally challenging to breathe.
• Have not been able to suck and swallow entirely, so it is challenging to receive food intake.

In addition to these characteristics, gestational age can also determine the baby’s health condition at birth. Here’s the information.

• 5 months premature babies have a high risk of suffering from long-term disorders, such as neurological disorders to learning difficulties.
• Premature babies aged 6 months have a high risk of suffering from complications that are not permanent, such as respiratory problems.
• Premature babies aged 7 to 8 months will experience a gradual improvement in their health conditions. In other words, they have a lower risk of experiencing interference

After birth, premature babies will receive special care in the NICU or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The baby will be put in an incubator and receive treatment until the condition is stable.

People frequently ask, how long 7 months a premature baby should be taken care of in the incubator? Generally, this treatment will last for approximately one month.

However, it also adapts to the condition of the baby. The following are characteristics of a healthy premature baby.

• Have a body weight of at least 4 pounds or 2kg.
• Have a body temperature that remains warm even without the help of an incubator.
• Little by little, the weight is increasing.
• Can receive food intake (milk), either directly or through a bottle.
• Can breathe without the aid of medical equipment.

Strengths of Premature Babies

Babies with premature birth can survive and have normal development. Its development can be the same as a regular baby. With a note, they can obtain appropriate care. In addition, the strength of 8-month premature babies, despite having a younger age than babies born at term, was able to catch up.

Another advantage of premature babies is that they are closer to their parents. The reason is that premature babies require more intensive and persevering care. Premature babies have excellent learning abilities, even more than normal-born children. That’s why the strength of premature babies is that when adults, they can perform well in school.

Weaknesses of Premature Babies

There is an accompanying risk of disease if the baby is born prematurely. Disease complications are more significant than in normal babies, such as impaired organ function, hearing loss, vision, psychological disorders, and sudden death.

Another deficiency can be bleeding in the vessels of the brain or intraventricular. Furthermore, the effect of premature babies as adults is the risk of hypertension, stroke, kidney disorders, and diabetes.

Given that many health problems can occur in premature babies, pregnant women are advised to undergo regular check-ups with the obstetrician regularly. In this way, the condition of pregnant women and their fetuses can be appropriately monitored so premature labor can be prevented early. For the best effort, you can apply a healthy lifestyle too.