Lung Problems Due to Premature Birth

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Lung Problems Due to Premature Birth

• Evelyn Keith
• Troy University School of Nursing
• Spring 2007

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When is a baby considered to be premature?
A full-term pregnancy is considered to be 38 to
42 weeks after the mothers last menstrual
period. Therefore, a baby is considered premature
when the pregnancy lasts fewer than 37 weeks.
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Some main possible lung problems that could
develop are

• Apnea of Prematurity
• Respiratory Distress Syndrome
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus
• Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

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Apnea of Prematurity

• Apnea the absence of breathing for more than 20
  seconds
• There may not be an identifiable cause other than
  immaturity of the central nervous system.

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Apnea of Prematurity

• Apnea of prematurity is seen to be more common
  during sleep. Even more so, it is seen more
  common during active sleep when the baby has
  rapid eye movement.

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Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

• RDS is a result from insufficient surfactant
  levels. Surfactant is necessary for the expansion
  of the air sacs of the lungs.

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Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

• Characterized by
• - Rapid breathing
• - Nasal flaring
• - Grunting noise with each breath
• - Blue around lips and nail beds

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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

• Causes infections of the lungs and breathing
  passages.
• Highly contagious and can be spread through
  droplets containing the virus.
• Seen most often from late fall to early spring.

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Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)

• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is seen most often in
  babies born at least 4 weeks earlier than their
  due date. Also, BPD develops most commonly in the
  first 4 weeks after birth.

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Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)

• One believed cause of BPD is that the baby is
  given too much oxygen at birth since he is
  premature and his lungs are immature, making them
  sensitive to environmental factors.

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For More Information

• Apnea of Prematurity
• Respiratory Distress Syndrome
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus
• Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

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The End