Prematurity or premature birth is defined as the birth of babies who are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. It is also known as preterm birth. Preterm birth is further divided into three categories which are:
- extremely preterm (less than 28 weeks)
- very premature (newborns of 28 to 30 weeks)
- Moderate to late prematurity (newborns who are born from 32 to 37 weeks)
The Reasons That Account For Premature Birth
The reasons which cause the risk of premature birth are plenty. However, the following are the major reasons for the same:
- Expecting more than one baby, otherwise known as multiple pregnancies
- Infections
- Genetic problems
- Mothers who have been suffering from chronic illnesses like diabetes or hypertension
Impact on Child’s Health
Premature-born kids are at risk of developing health complications Prematurity raises the risk of health concerns in a newborn. Premature babies are prone to developing complications that include difficulty in learning and visual disabilities. They are also susceptible to the risk of infections and breathing difficulties. Unfortunately, it is for these medical complications that the birth of a premature child is considered taboo.
Breaking the Taboo of Premature Birth
It is time that we as a society raised awareness and banish the taboo regarding premature birth, feels the doctors at the pediatric emergency hospital. While it is indeed true that premature births have many health difficulties and complications, one must also acknowledge the fact that there are several treatment protocols available at the pediatric department in hospital and that they are fully capable of offering effective remedies in a timely manner. Modern medical treatments are so efficacious that major premature birth complications are not just treated but they are also prevented on time.
Premature or preterm babies are given all the necessary medical attention in the midst of advanced surroundings. Besides compassion, the pediatric department in the hospital is fully equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and modular units such as Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). With the help of these medical advancements, the neonatology team of a pediatric emergency hospital is able to extend a specific medical service to the baby based on the baby’s current condition.
Among the various services offered at the pediatric hospital, the noted ones are mechanical ventilation, intravenous nutrition, and artificial surfactant for babies with complex medical problems. The factors that are taken into consideration for choosing the treatment alternatives would be symptoms, age, and general health of the newborn.
Preventing premature birth
Thanks largely to the advancements in various medicine, treatment, and testing procedure; it is now possible to identify the causes of premature births. This enables the pediatric emergency hospital to create more of a bespoken and specialized care protocol. As a thumb rule of thumb, the first preventive measure is to understand the causes and symptoms that occur before or during the course of pregnancy and labor.
In antenatal care, the expecting mothers are given customized care and are also offered end-to-end support. By and large, the antenatal program should include advanced prenatal tests and screenings, comprehensive counseling, and guidance regarding your birthing plan.
Furthermore, the doctors at the pediatric department in the popular hospital strongly suggest a few ways which can prove to be decisive in avoiding premature birth. These include.
- Gaining knowledge about the possible risks of premature labor
- Avoid smoking
- Emphasize the symptoms and treatment of preterm labor
