This document provides information on prematurity and its complications. It begins with definitions of prematurity and discusses the incidence in Pakistan. It then covers the etiology and risk factors for prematurity including maternal, uterine, fetal and other causes. The document extensively details the immediate problems and complications of prematurity such as hypothermia, hypoglycemia, respiratory issues, infections and more. It also discusses long term complications including chronic lung disease, poor growth and CNS dysfunctions. Finally, it outlines the management, care and prognosis of preterm infants.

1. DR . MAIMOONA AKBAR
Prematurity
and it’s complications

2. Introduction
Definition
Incidence
Etiology

3. Definition
It is defined as live born infant delivered before 37
weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period.

4. Incidence
The exact incidence in Pakistan is not known.
Estimated 11-13%
It includes both small for gestational age (SGA) and
appropriate for gestational age (AGA)

5. Etiology
Maternal causes
Uterine causes
Fetal causes
Others

6. Maternal causes
Malnutrition and anemia
Teenage pregnancy or multi-parity
Twin pregnancy
Pre eclmapsia
Chronic illness (diabetes, renal disease, heart
disease, hypertension)
Infection (malaria, UTI, chorioamnionitis)
Lower socioeconomic status
Smoking or drug abuse
Illegitimate birth

7. Uterine causes
Bicornuate uterus
Incompetent cervix (premature dilation)
Placenta previa, abruptio placentae, placental
dysfunction

8. Fetal causes
Fetal distress
Multiple gestation
Chromosomal disorders (down’s syndrome)
Intrauterine infections (syphilis, TORCH)
Erythroblastosis, non immune hydrops

9. Others
Polyhydramnios
Trauma
Premature rupture of membranes
Iatrogenic

10. Problems/complications of prematurity
Immediate
Long term

11. Immediate (acute) problems
1. Hypothermia
2. Hypoglycemia
3. Hypocalcemia
4. Respiratory difficulties
5. Intra-ventricular hemorrhage (IVH)
6. Liver immaturity
7. Increased susceptibility to infections
8. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
9. Patent ductus arteriosus
10. Feeding problems
11. Anemia of prematurity
12. Retinopathy of prematurity
13. Metabolic bone diseases of prematurity

12. Hypothermia
It occurs in preterm babies due to:
High surface area to body weight ratio
Little subcutaneous fat
Muscular inactivity
Inadequate sweating mechanism
Decreased brown fat
Immature heat regulation mechanism

13. Hypoglycemia
It is common due to lack f glycogen stores and
immature hepatic and autonomic responses

14. Hypocalcemia
Early hypocalcemia occurs due to immaturity of
hormonal control system

15. Respiratory difficulties
Hyaline membrane disease due to surfactant
deficiency leading to IRDS
Apneic spells: the immaturity of respiratory centre
may lead to periodic breathing and frequent apneic
apells

16. Intra-ventricular hemorrhage (IVH)
It is common in preterm infants due to:
Immature vasculature
Disturbed cerebral auto-regulation of blood flow
Clotting factor deficiency

17. Liver immaturity
It results in prolonged physiological jaundice due to
immaturity of liver enzymes and there is increased
risk of kernicterus at relatively lower bilirubin level

18. Increased susceptibility to infections
It results from lack of the protective maternal
immunoglobulins (IgG), which are transferred across
the placenta during the last trimester
In addition to this, delicate surfaces of skin and
mucous membranes also predispose to infections
Insertion of IV cannula, endotracheal tubes,
nasogastric tubes also increase the risk of infections

19. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
There is increased susceptibility to NEC due to
immaturity of gut endothelial surfaces and enzyme
deficiencies
The risk increases with lack of breast feeding,
umbilical catheterization and septicemia

20. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
The duct may remain open in premature babies
leading to heart failure

21. Feeding problems
These result from uncoordinated sucking and
swallowing and also from gastro-esophageal reflux
leading to frequent aspirations

22. Anemia of prematurity
Anemia occurs due to decreased iron stores, vitamin
E deficiency and exaggerated physiological anemia

23. Retinopathy of prematurity
There is abnormal vascularization due to immaturity
and oxygen therapy leading to partial or complete
blindness

24. Metabolic bone disease of prematurity
There is a lack of substrate (calcium and phosphate)
and vitamin D deficiency resulting in rickets

25. Long term problems
Chronic lung disease (bronchopulmonary dysplasia)
Poor growth
CNS dysfunctions

26. Chronic lung disease (bronchopulmonary
dysplasia)
Prolonged ventilation and oxygen toxicity results in
chronic oxygen dependency

27. Poor growth
Growth is restricted due to feeding problems, vitamin
and iron deficiency

28. CNS dysfunctions
Cerebral palsy due to intraventricular hemorrhage
Post hemorrhagic hydrocephalus
Learning problems
Deafness
Mental subnormality

29. Ballard score
Physical and neuromuscular criteria of maturity are
given in Expanded New Ballard score (NBS). It now
also includes extremely premature infants and has
been refined to improve accuracy in more mature
infants
In Ballard score, physical and neurologic scores are
added and by this added score, gestational age is
calculated
The score is accurate within 2 weeks of gestation in
infants weighing >999 g at birth and is most accurate
at 30-42 hours of age

32. Management
The management of preterm baby is based upon the
proper anticipation and prevention of complications

33. Delivery room care
Every preterm delivery should be attended by a
pediatrician
Proper resuscitation at birth, early stabilization of
vital signs, prevention of hypothermia and
hypoglycemia in delivery room is related with good
outcomes with minimal complications

34. If baby is of good size and vigorous, then by simply
cleaning airways, wrap the baby properly and shift
to well baby nursery with instructions of early
feeding and monitoring for hypoglycemia and
hypothermia
If baby weight is very low < 1kg, then electively
incubate the baby and shift to NICU for ventilator
care
Babies weighing 1-1.5kg should also be shifted to
NICU for observation and management of potential
problems

35. After birth care
Maintain thermo-neutral environment
Maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance
Oxygen administration
Feeding
Supplementation of iron and vitamins
Protection from infection
Early detection and management of complications of
prematurity
Immaturity of drug metabolism

36. Maintain thermo-neutral environment
It is environmental temperature at which heat
production and O2 consumption is minimal yet the
core temperature is maintained within normal range
Maintain temperature of nursery in range of 25-
30°C
Place the baby in incubator, keep humidity at 70%

37. Temperature of incubator varies with age by setting
air temperature or by setting skin temperature of
baby
Temperature can be maintained by the use of
radiant heaters by wrapping the baby properly and
by the use of mitten on hands and socks on feet and
cap on head if nursed in cot
Weight Temperature
> 2 kg 31-33˚ C
1.5-2.0 kg 32-34° C
1.0-1.5 kg 32-35˚ C
< 1 kg 35-37° C

38. Maintenance of fluid and
electrolyte balance
Preterm babies need more fluids as compared to full
term infants
Baby should be carefully monitored for
hypoglycemia, hypo or hyper-natremia and hyper-
kalemia by frequent blood samples and their
correction
Fluid requirement of premature baby
1st day 60-80 ml/kg/day
2nd day 80-100 ml/kg/day
3rd day 100-110 ml/kg/day
4th day 120-130 ml/kg/day
5th day and onwards 150-160 ml/kg/day

39. Oxygen administration
O2 administration should be carefully monitored in a
very premature infant because concentration of O2
more than 40% increases the risk of lung and visual
toxicity (bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retrolental
fibroplasia)

40. Feeding
The method of feeding should be individualized as it
varies with weight and gestational age of infant
The process of oral feeding in addition to sucking
requires coordination of swallowing, epiglottic
closure of larynx, normal esophageal motility, a
synchronized process which is usually absent prior
to 34 weeks of gestation

41. If the infant is more than 35 wk gestation, weighing
> 2kg and there is no contraindication of feeding like
persistent vomiting, RDS, sepsis, seizures etc; he
should be started on oral feeding preferably by
breast milk or infant formula with bottle or cup and
spoon
If baby cannot suck and general condition is better,
tube feeding is preferred
If very sick or premature, then total or partial
parenteral nutrition is the choice

42. Supplementation of iron and vitamins
Every preterm infant should receive supplement
vitamins in addition to breast milk until full mixed
feeding is established or weight is more than 2250
gm
All preterm babies should receive vitamin K
prophylaxis 1 mg at birth
Requirement of vitamin A, D, B6 and C is fulfilled by
simply prescribing 0.6ml Vidaylin drops per oral

43. Iron supplementation should be started at the age
of 4-8 weeks at dose of 2mg/kg/day
Before this age it is not well absorbed and also
increases the risk of gastrointestinal infection and
also predisposes to vitamin E deficient hemolysis

44. Protection from infection
Proper antiseptic measures should be taken in
maintenance of nursery, incubator and other
equipment and in addition proper hand washing,
cleansing of preterm baby, proper cord care are very
important
All procedures in nursery should be done with strict
aseptic measures

45. Early detection and management of
complications of prematurity
It can be done by good nursery care, monitoring of
heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, blood
pressure, activity, daily weight and intake and output
record
Oxygen saturation monitoring is very important in
care of preterm babies

46. Immaturity of drug metabolism
Due to renal and hepatic immaturity and diminished
renal and hepatic clearance of almost all drugs,
intervals between doses should be extended

47. Prognosis
It is related to gestation and birth weight
With new advancement in neonatal intensive care in
developed countries, the survival rate for 24 wk
gestation is 25%. But still there is marked disability in
survivors
5-10% of babies with birth weight less than 1500 gm
have major handicap such as cerebral palsy,
developmental delay, blindness or deafness
Risk increases with decreasing gestational age and
weight

48. Discharge criteria for preterm
A premature infant should be taking feed by nipple
(either bottle or breast feed)
Baby should be gaining weight properly (10-30
g/day)
Temperature should be stabilized in an open cot
There should be no recent episode of apnea or
bradycardia
There should be no parenteral drug administration, it
may be converted to oral dosing

49. Thank you