0 Complications of Preterm



Complications of Preterm

  • 1. HMD (Hyaline membrane disease) = RDS Respiratory Distress syndrome (>30% of neonatal mortality) 
  • 2. Apnea ( >20sec , or Any period if associated with central cyanosis and bradycardia )
  • 3. Chronic lung disease (= Bronchopulmonary dysplasia) - Oxygen dependence even after >4wks life - Therefore give Home O2 Therapy.
  • 4. CNS Depression (Birth asphyxia) , IVH (Intraventricular haemorrhage) , PVL (Periventricular Leucomalacia) 

IVH - because capillaries in germinal matrix are fragile
  1. Sudden death , 
  2. Sudden shock , 
  3. Bulging out Anterior fontanale (Therefore do Transfontanale USG)
  4. Seizure
(Note : Term babies IVH - because of breech presentation.)

Birth Asphyxia
In Preterm - PVL --> Commando Crawling (UL strong , LL weak) -- Spastic Diplegia --> Cerebral Palsy


In Term - Parasagital --> Prolonged asphyxia --> Diffuse neuronal loss --> Status Marmoratus --> When child grows -- Spastic Quadriplegia --> Cerebral palsy

Cerebral Palsy Complications :
  1. Global developmental delay
  2. Microcephaly & Mental Retardation
  3. Seizures
  4. Feeding difficulties


  • 5. CVS - Hypotension , PDA ( because of prostaglandins due to asphyxia ) (Treatment of PDA here - NSAIDS -  Brufen , Indomethacin )

      Brufen is preferred over Indomethacin because of less renal side effects , i.e both decrease GFR but its less with brufen.

    In Term - PDA is usually due to Rubella - because of vessel wall defect (therefore here t/t - Surgery - Inserting coils in Ductus Arteriosus or Use Duct Occluders.)

  • 6. Blood - Anaemia , Jaundice of Prematurity
  • 7. Hypothermia , Hypoglycemia , Hypocalcemia
  • 8. Gut - NEC
  • 9. Infections (because of decreased immunity)
  • 10. ROP (Retinopathy of prematurity = Retrolental fibroplasia - if 100% oxygen given) - Proliferated, dilated and tortuous vessels in Vitreous.




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