Almost 14 percent of the babies in India are preterm or premature babies. Around 27 million babies are born in India every year. And among these 27 million, approximately 3.5 to 4 million babies are born prematurely.
However, if your baby is premature or preterm, then they will face weight loss. Your baby will weigh below 2.5 kg and will need NICU care immediately.
Why are babies born premature or preterm?
Mostly, mothers who do not have proper nutrition before or during pregnancy and suffer an infection give birth to a preterm baby. However, almost 80 percent of the babies are born within 32-37 weeks. But if your baby is born before the 32nd week, then your baby will face some complications. In this case, your baby will weigh less than 1-1.5 kg and will need NICU care.
Problems that a premature baby faces
If your baby weighs between 1.8 and 2.5 kg, then problems in feeding, jaundice, sugar fall, and breastfeeding will arise. Usually, in this case, your baby will recover within 5-7 days. But if your baby weighs below 1.8 kg, then the duration of stay in NICU might become longer.
What happens if a baby weighs below 1.5 kg?
However, if your baby weighs below 1.5 kg, then he or she will need immediate NICU care. In India, only 10-15 percent of these babies fall under this category. The common problems that your baby will face are:
- Low body temperature
- Decreasing sugar level
- Low blood pressure
- Breathing problems
- Bleeding inside the brain
- Digestive problems
The survival rate of the preterm babies
If your baby weighs between 1.8 and 2.5 kg, then your baby has a 98 percent chance of surviving. However, if your baby weighs between 1.5 and 1.8 kg, then there are 90 to 95 percent chances of survival.
On the other hand, if your baby weighs below 1.5 kg, then the chances of survival are 85 to 90 percent with special care. However, in India, NICU care facilities are improving daily. So, fewer babies weighing less than 1 kg are also surviving. Approximately 60 to 70 percent of the babies who weigh between 800 and 700 grams are surviving.
What can reduce the chances of survival in a preterm baby?
The certain conditions where there are lower chances of your baby’s survival are:
- Immature lungs
- Breathing problems
- Bleeding in the brain
- Infections
- Digestion problems
However, the main reason in India for which most of the babies don’t survive is because of infections.
Ways to improve the survival chances
If you want to increase the survival chances of your preterm or premature baby, make sure to choose the best NICU care. If your baby is premature, then make sure your baby is shifted to the NICU unit immediately after delivery.
Why are MgSO₄ and steroids important for a premature baby?
If MgSO₄ and steroid injections are given to you, it helps in increasing the survival chances of your baby up to 60-70 percent. The symptoms that a preterm baby faces can also be prevented by using these steroids.
Essential care for preterm babies
There are certain medications that you need to give to your premature baby at the initial stage after taking birth. These medications will require a professional and well-equipped NICU care team. This is also called level 3 NICU, in which your baby is kept under ventilation and may also need CPAP.
Precautions and care that a mother needs to take
Make sure to use hand wash while touching or handling your preterm baby. Also, another treatment is the KMC procedure, which improves the outcome of the premature baby.
Conclusion
The survival as well as the follow-up treatments, both are necessary regarding the preterm babies. Make sure that you take immense care of your premature baby for 2 years after birth. In these two years, the brain growth, eye growth, and working of the other organs are to be properly observed and taken care of.
