Most common issues facing premature babies

Neonatologist Philippe Friedlich, MD, explains the most common issues and risks that are faced be premature babies after being born
The Most Common Issues Facing Premature Babies
KidsInTheHouse the Ultimate Parenting Resource
Kids in the House Tour

Most common issues facing premature babies

Comment
126
Like
126
Transcription: 
Many parents at the time of a premature birth will ask their doctor what are the common problems that they can expect. The first answer to that question is that it depends on how immature, or premature, your baby is. The more common problems have to do with respiratory issues. Some babies sometimes need a little help in breathing in the form of oxygen or some medications. Feeding is also another major problem associated with prematurity. Babies cannot suck and swallow until they are around 34 weeks of gestation. So babies born before that may have difficulties feeding. Their intestines may be immature and not ready to accept a large volume of feedings. Other issues may have to do with their brain. The more immature an infant is, the more fragile their brains are and sometimes they can have complications associated with immaturity. The babies eyes and hearing mechanisms may also be immature, and depending other associated complications can have long-term sequela from the prematurity.

Neonatologist Philippe Friedlich, MD, explains the most common issues and risks that are faced be premature babies after being born

Related Videos

Transcript

Expert Bio

More from Expert

Philippe Friedlich, MD

Neonatologist

Philippe Friedlich, MD, MS Epi, MBA is the Associate Director and Division Chief of the Center for Fetal and Neonatal Medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, as well as the Medical Director of the hospital’s Newborn & Infant Critical Care Unit (NICCU). Dr. Friedlich is a professor of Pediatrics and Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California.   

More Parenting Videos from Philippe Friedlich, MD >
Enter your email to
download & subscribe
to our newsletter
  Listen or Watch
Must See First Year Videos
Three important rules about your baby's first foods
First year milestones
Postnatal depression and loneliness advice
Baby losing interest in nursing
The importance of spending quality time during early childhood
Narrating an infant's environment
Research based benefits of co-sleeping
Bonding versus attachment
Bonding with your baby after a less-than-perfect birth
Preventing postpartum depression
Play All 34 Videos
Featured Experts: Alan Greene, MD, Lawrence Kagan, MD, Barbara Olinger, MSW
More Playlists >
Transcription: 
Many parents at the time of a premature birth will ask their doctor what are the common problems that they can expect. The first answer to that question is that it depends on how immature, or premature, your baby is. The more common problems have to do with respiratory issues. Some babies sometimes need a little help in breathing in the form of oxygen or some medications. Feeding is also another major problem associated with prematurity. Babies cannot suck and swallow until they are around 34 weeks of gestation. So babies born before that may have difficulties feeding. Their intestines may be immature and not ready to accept a large volume of feedings. Other issues may have to do with their brain. The more immature an infant is, the more fragile their brains are and sometimes they can have complications associated with immaturity. The babies eyes and hearing mechanisms may also be immature, and depending other associated complications can have long-term sequela from the prematurity.