BabyCare

Newborn complications

Premature infants show physical signs of their prematurity and may develop other problems as well. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

Neurologic

* Apnea of prematurity
* Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
* Intracranial hemorrhage
* Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
* Developmental disability

Cardiovascular

* Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)

Respiratory

* Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS or IRDS)
* Chronic lung disease (previously called bronchopulmonary dysplasia or BPD)

Gastrointestinal / metabolic

* Hypoglycemia
* Feeding difficulties
* Rickets of prematurity
* Hypocalcemia
* Inguinal hernia
* Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)

Hematologic

* Anemia of prematurity
* Thrombocytopenia
* Hyperbilirubinemia (jaundice)

Infectious

* Sepsis
* Urinary tract infection [5]


The earliest gestational age at which the infant has at least a 50% chance of survival is referred to as the limit of viability. As NICU care has improved over the last 40 years, viability has reduced to approximately 24 weeks,[27][28] although rare survivors have been documented as early as 21 weeks.[6] Though this date is controversial as gestation in this case was measured from the date of conception rather than the date of her mother's last menstrual period gestation appear 2 weeks less than if calculated by the more common method[29]. As risk of brain damage and developmental delay is significant at that threshold even if the infant survives, there are ethical controversies over the aggressiveness of the care rendered to such infants. The limit of viability has also become a factor in the abortion debate.

Some of the complications related to prematurity are not apparent until years after the birth. For example, children who were born prematurely (especially if born less than 1,500 grams) have a higher likelihood of having behavioral problems, delays in motor development, and difficulties in school. Specifically these problems can be described as being within the executive domain and have been speculated to arise due to decreased myelinization of the frontal lobes.[30] Throughout life they are more likely to require services provided by physical therapists, occupational therapists, or speech therapists.