- Immaturity
- Resuscitation, transport after birth, blood pressure fluctuations
- Coagulation disorders
- Respiratory arrest
- Poverty of movement
- Drop in blood pressure
- Seizures (epilepsy)
- Respiratory distress syndromeThe respiratory distress syndrome in preterm birth is caused by a lack of the lipid that is essential for lung development. The deficiency is due to the immaturity of the organs. The infants have difficulty breathing, have difficulty breathing, and breathe very quickly.
In the x-ray image, a so-called “white lung” can be seen. The shadows appear because the lung tissue does not unfold and fills with air. Air is black on an X-ray film.
In addition to the administration of oxygen, the child is given artificial surfactant so that the lung can unfold. In more severe cases of respiratory distress, the need for ventilation may arise.
- Open connection between right and left heart (open foramen ovale)This disease of preterm birth is the most common cardiovascular disease in preterm infants. Premature babies do not react adequately to the environment and the so-called ductus arteriosus botalli is not closed.
One of the main reasons for this is probably that the musculature is too weak. Affected newborns often have a fast pulse, heart murmurs and jumping pulses. The diagnosis can be made with the help of ultrasound and X-rays.
As a rule, the closure of the ductus is performed surgically.
- Immature retinaThe retina of premature babies can be damaged because oxygen has a “toxic” effect on their vessels. The secretion of factors that promote the growth of retinal vessels is not suppressed after birth. The vessels sprout and partially grow into the vitreous body.
This results in retinal detachment. Mature newborns, on the other hand, already have a completely perfused retina at birth, so they are not at risk. Regular check-ups by the ophthalmologist are guaranteed at the clinic.
To counteract such a detachment, the oxygen content and pressure in the blood should be measured regularly. In mild forms, the therapy consists of waiting, because it can regress. Severe forms can be stopped by laser therapy.
Unfortunately, once the retina is detached, the chances are poor.
- Lung malformationsThese are severe chronic diseases of the respiratory tract. They develop at the bottom of an immaturity of the lung or due to a lung trauma during mechanical ventilation. An infection of the lung develops.
The lungs show signs of water retention and over-inflation. The existing signs of inflammation subside in the majority of young patients after a few weeks. The diagnosis is made with the help of the X-ray image.
During therapy, care should be taken to ensure, among other things, a sufficient calorie intake and oxygen supply. The inflammation is treated with medication.
- Cerebral hemorrhageThe risk of cerebral hemorrhage particularly affects very small babies of premature birth. In up to 40 percent of cases, this bleeding can be detected to varying degrees.
The small blood vessels of premature babies are very fragile and vulnerable. Cerebral hemorrhages can be divided into stages, which are diagnosed by ultrasound. There are several risk factors:ImmaturityResuscitation, transport after birth, blood pressure fluctuationsCoagulation disordersThe affected premature babies can have the following symptoms:Respiratory arrestPoverty of movementDrop in blood pressureSeizures (epilepsy)Many other symptoms can indicate a cerebral hemorrhage.
Once a cerebral hemorrhage has occurred, unfortunately, it cannot be reversed. One must try to remove the leaked blood. The more severe the bleeding was and the longer it went unnoticed, the worse the prognosis. Mostly the following neurological development is disturbed.
- Immaturity
- Resuscitation, transport after birth, blood pressure fluctuations
- Coagulation disorders
- Respiratory arrest
- Poverty of movement
- Drop in blood pressure
- Seizures (epilepsy)
