Connection between Premature Infants and Heart Disease

The connection between premature infants and heart disease is alarming. A baby is considered premature if the mother goes into labor before 37 weeks. Most premature babies are born with some form of heart problem. Hence, it is important to understand the connection between premature infants and heart disease.

About Premature Infants and Heart Disease

A premature infant will have internal that are not fully developed and hence need special care in a nursery or intensive care unit. They are only discharged when their organ systems have developed enough to be able to sustain life without medical support. Premature infants often have other common complicating conditions besides heart disease.

The common problems in a premature infant include transparent skin, wrinkled features, soft and pliable ear cartilage, body hair, poor feeding, respiratory problems such as hyaline membrane disease, episodes of absent breathing, a weak cry, inactivity, an enlarged clitoris in females, and a small scrotum in males.

There are also a number of different complications, which may or may not be directly due to premature birth. These include hyaline membrane disease, bleeding in the brain, retinopathy, jaundice, anemia, low blood glucose, delayed growth and development and mental-motor retardation.

Prevention of Premature Infants and Heart Disease

While there are many preventive measures for a pregnant woman to avoid going into premature labor, there is no definite way of avoiding it totally. One of the most important preventive measures is to receive prenatal care as early as possible in the pregnancy. The statistics show that proper prenatal care given at the early stage of pregnancy greatly reduces the odds of premature birth and related deaths.

Of course, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for a pregnant woman as well for the baby. Hence, a pregnant woman should eat a diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of water, and also get at least thirty minutes of suitable exercise each day if possible.

Treatment for Premature Infants and Heart Disease

Premature infants and heart disease are not entirely preventable. However, there are many treatment options. Premature infants are usually unable to coordinate sucking and swallowing before 34 weeks of gestation. They will most likely need to have a feeding tube placed into their stomach or in the case of the very premature infants, the feedings may have to be done through a vein. Medication should only be given at the advice of a doctor.

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