children s health issues
Preterm (Premature) Newborns
Symptoms of Preterm Newborns
Preterm newborns usually weigh less than 5½ pounds (2.5 kilograms), and some weigh as little as 1 pound (½ kilogram). Symptoms often depend on immaturity of various organs. Extremely preterm newborns tend to require a longer stay in the neonatal intensive care unit ( Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) ) in the hospital until their organs can function well on their own. Late preterm newborns may have only a few, if any, organ systems that need time to mature. Late preterm newborns may stay in the hospital until they can regulate their body temperature and the level of sugar (glucose) in their blood, eat well, and gain weight. The immune system in any preterm newborn is also underdeveloped, and therefore preterm newborns are prone to infections. Small size Large head relative to rest of the body Little fat under the skin Thin, shiny, pink skin Veins visible beneath the skin Few creases on soles of feet Scant hair Soft ears, with little cartilage Underdeveloped breast tissue Boys: Small scrotum with few folds; Undescended Testes and Retractile Testes in very preterm newborns Girls: Labia majora (large lips) not yet covering labia minora (small lips) of the genitals Rapid breathing with brief pauses (periodic breathing), Apnea of Prematurity spells (pauses lasting 20 seconds or longer), or both Weak, poorly coordinated sucking and swallowing reflexes Reduced physical activity and muscle tone (a preterm newborn tends not to draw up the arms and legs when at rest as does a full-term newborn) 