Nutritional diet and regular check-ups can prevent such cases to a great extent, which are caused by stress as well as late pregnancy.
They are a bundle of joy, a little more delicate than any normal new born. Premature babies form 12% to 15% of all deliveries.
Over the last decade, incidents of pre-matured deliveries have increased considerably.
As the World Health Organisation (WHO) is celebrating November 17 as World Prematurity Day, gynaecologists and neonatologists explained the reasons for premature deliveries.
Babies born in less than 37 weeks are termed premature babies or preemies. There are several reasons that lead to premature deliveries. The most important factor is stress among pregnant women.
“Most of the mothers-to-be in high stress jobs are prone to premature deliveries. Moreover, late pregnancy is a trend these days with most women in their 20s focusing on their career. And late pregnancies can cause premature deliveries,” said Dr Karthik Nagesh, head of the department, Neonatology, Manipal Hospital, and past president of Indian Academy of Pediatricians, Bangalore.
Infertility owing to stressful life is not uncommon today.
“Treatments of infertility, including in vitro fertilisation or test-tube babies, often cause multiple pregnancy (twins or triplets) and babies have a chance of being premature,” said Dr Nagesh.
Complications like hypertension and diabetes during pregnancy can lead to situations wherein the operation has to be performed before the gestation period, he said.
Premature deliveries can be avoided if pregnant women take precautions.
“Pre-term births can be prevented through following a nutritious diet from the first few months of pregnancy. Regular antenatal check-ups can help detect complications that might lead to premature delivery,” said Dr Beena Jeysingh, senior consultant, gynaecology, Apollo Hospital.
“These check-ups can also help a couple prepare for the risks associated with pre-term deliveries,” she added.
Where premature birth is medically necessary, the mother-to-be is administered with an antenatal steroid to naturally activate the baby’s lungs.
This is essential because many a time, the lungs stop functioning before birth, thereby increasing the chances of neonatal mortality, she said.
In case of premature delivery, a good neonatal ICU is a must.
“Premature babies need good neonatal intensive care facility since, for them, all organs remain premature post delivery. These babies are prone to respiratory complications. With an underdeveloped lung, they will find it difficult to breath,” said Dr Nagesh.
These babies right from birth should be cared in a regulated environment with trained neonatologists and nurses, he added.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}