Thursday, October 27, 2022
Read more: What Should You Do If Your Preemie Is In The NICU?
A micro preemie is a baby that is under 1 3/4 pounds (between 700 and 800 grammes) and is usually born before 26 weeks gestation. However, most people choose to broaden the definition of this word to encompass any infant who is under 3 pounds (1500 grammes) or delivered before 29 weeks gestation. More micro preemies are surviving than ever before, despite the fact that they need intensive medical care to do so. Micro preemie survival rates might range from 10 to 80 percent.
A micro preemie's likelihood of survival is zero to ten percent if born before 23 weeks of pregnancy. A micro preemie's odds of survival rise each day they spend with their mother, and each week has a significant impact on maintaining that percentage. Additionally, this reduces both short-term and long-term health hazards.
Immature lungs, an undeveloped digestive system, brain haemorrhaging, increased risk of infection, imperfect feeding reflexes, severe anaemia, neurological delays, physical handicaps, and long-term health concerns are just a few of the numerous challenges that a micro preemie faces. Biliblankets, blood pressure monitors, cardiac monitors, endotracheal tubes, isolettes, intravenous pumps & tubes, nasal CPAPs, nasal gastric tubes, nasal prongs, oxyhoods, oxygen saturation monitors, phototherapy lights, pulse oximeters, respiratory monitors, synthetic surfactant, temperature probes, UACs, ultrasounds, UVCs, and ventilators are some of the medical devices used to keep micro preemies Parents of micro preemies now have more information available to them than ever before, giving them the chance to become knowledgeable about the requirements of their child.
Preemies are officially defined as infants weighing less than 5 1/2 pounds (2500 grammes), although the general public prefers to refer to any infant weighing less than 7 pounds (3000 grammes) as a preemie. Some parents refer to their little newborn as a preemie since it can be challenging to obtain clothes that suit these babies unless shopping at preemie retailers for preemie sizes. Another factor is that many individuals are unaware of what prematurity is.
More than 90% of preemies survive, according to statistics. Preemies often have far less stringent medical requirements than their micro preemie counterparts. But things can still be perilous, and many premature babies can still be using a lot of the medical supplies that micro preemies require. When a preemie is strong enough or able to manage many physiological functions on her own, she is weaned off of this equipment. Despite this, preemies frequently appear to oscillate between the two for a short period of time.
It will soon be time for a preemie to return home as they gradually become stronger and their medical needs decrease. Many preemies have been given medical supplies to take home with them that their parents have been educated to utilise in an emergency. Parents are now in charge, which is both frightening and thrilling for them. They are unsure of their ability to handle crises but are eager to get started on the "regular" portion of life—raising their preemie. These strong, warrior parents do a great job of fighting for their child in the present and are extremely attuned to even the slightest nuances.
For the remainder of their lives, many preemies battle with ongoing health difficulties. With the development of technology, some of these issues may be managed with surgery, medicine, and other treatments.