A preterm infant is defined as a newborn delivered between 28 and 37 weeks of gestation. Most weigh less than 2500g (5.5 lbs) and measure under 46cm (18 inches), with immature organ development and reduced vitality.
Causes include maternal conditions such as high-fever illnesses (influenza, pneumonia, dysentery), history of trauma or surgery, psychological stress, hypertension, or genital abnormalities.Additionally, placental abnormalities, twin pregnancies, fetal malformations, and umbilical cord issues—such as excessive thickness, short length, twisting, or knotting—can all trigger premature birth.
Premature infants struggle with temperature regulation and have underdeveloped respiratory centers, making them prone to breathing disorders. Symptoms include shallow breathing, irregular breathing patterns, apnea, and cyanosis (bluish skin), which can lead to brain hypoxia.Furthermore, insufficient pulmonary surfactant production predisposes them to respiratory distress syndrome, exacerbating hypoxia.
Poor swallowing and digestive function in preterm infants increases susceptibility to vomiting and milk aspiration, leading to aspiration pneumonia and worsening oxygen deprivation. Immature liver function results in insufficient enzymes and proteins for bilirubin clearance, causing prolonged jaundice and hyperbilirubinemia.
Furthermore, premature infants have impaired coagulation function. Combined with hypoxia, this increases susceptibility to intracranial hemorrhage. Severe conditions such as apnea, aspiration pneumonia, hyaline membrane disease, hyperbilirubinemia, and intracranial hemorrhage can all cause oxygen deprivation and necrosis of brain cells in premature infants, affecting their intellectual development.Premature infants are also prone to hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia, which can trigger seizures, damage brain cells, and result in impaired brain development and intellectual disability.
Therefore, pregnant women should undergo regular prenatal checkups, avoid heavy physical labor, and prevent preterm birth.If prenatal ultrasound reveals placental abnormalities, twin pregnancies, or umbilical cord issues, expectant mothers should be admitted to the hospital early. If preterm birth is unavoidable, medical staff must provide specialized care for the infant, including warmth, oxygen supplementation, and infection prevention. Early feeding should commence; intravenous glucose supplementation is necessary for infants unable to feed orally to prevent hypoglycemia. Calcium supplementation is also crucial to prevent seizures.