It is great news to hear that prematurity rates have decreased in the U.S. this year but the amount of premature births are still staggering. Approximately 12% of all births will result from a preterm delivery. When a baby is born before 37 weeks gestation, it is considered a premature birth.

There is a wide range of survivability of premature babies depending on their weight and gestational age. Babies born at 500 grams or a little more than a pound have a 50% chance of survival. Babies born at close to 2 lbs have much higher rates close to 90%. There are other variables such as if the mother receives steroid shots before the birth helping to develop the babies lungs.

Also, there is some research that different genders and ethnic groups do better with prematurity. Girls tend to fare better than boys and caucasian boys seem to do the worse. After a baby is born prematurely, there will be some time spent in the NICU. The earlier the birth and the baby’s health determine how long a baby will be in the NICU.  Common issues associated with prematurity are apnea, jaundice, and under-developed digestions system.  More serious complications are bleeding on the brain, hearing and vision loss, cerebral palsy, and developmental and learning delays. 

Premature babies require a lot of care from trained nurses and a neonatologist.  This can lead to parents feeling helpless.  There are some very important things that parents can provide for their baby during this time.  First, breast milk is the easiest for most premature babies to digest and it is recommended that mothers pump breast milk for the babies.  In addition to being easier to digest, breast milk can transfer important antibodies that premature babies don’t receive from their mother at birth.  Mothers and fathers can provide kangaroo care. This is where the newborn is placed skin to skin on a mother or fathers chest.  Research has shown skin to skin contact has helped regulate babies breathing and body temperature.  After a baby goes home, the risks from prematurity linger with a baby. Those born before 32 weeks are at a higher risk of developing life threatening problems in the first year if exposed to Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Other long term effects can be mental or physical disabilities. Most premature babies grow to be healthy toddlers and adults, but the risks involved with prematurity means we must continue to research and keep lowering the rates of prematurity.