preterm infant Flashcards
Preterm definition
A birth that occurs before 37 weeks of gestation
Term definition
between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation
Post term
after 42 weeks of gestation
What does smoking during pregnancy increase the risk of the baby developing ?
premature birth, low birth weight, problems with ENT, diabetes and obesity
What are some risk factors for an early birth
- already delivering a preterm baby
- giving birth to twins
- having an oddly shaped uterus
What is different when dealing with a preterm baby?
preterm baby = quicker to get cold + more fragile their lungs
Delayed cord clamping
keeping warm - plastic bag under a heater
gentle lung inflation - ensure lungs are semi distended because they have a tendency to collapse
initial O2 conc
Detail some problems of prematurity
temp control
feeding/ nutrition
sepsis
Why are babies born early if mum has infection
To try and save the mum from the infection
Why are babies bad at regulating temp
Low BMR
Minimal muscular activity
subcutaneous fat insulation is shit
high ration of surface area to body mass
What are the 4 modes of heat loss in the baby
Convection
conduction
radiation
evaporation
What is the purpose of an incubator?
When does the skin of a baby mature
To make the skin mature faster - the skin matures in 10 days
What is the reason you need surfactant?
inefficient that gas exchange only happens when you breathe in so you need constant air in your lungs for the gas exchange to take place during each heartbeat.
What is functional residual capacity
Constant amount of air needed in lung to maintain gas transfer irrespective of breathing in and out
