Premature Babies : Complications

Possible complications include: Anemia; Bleeding into the brain (intraventricular hemorrhage of the newborn; Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD; Cognitive or motor disability or delay; Delayed growth and development; Infection or neonatal sepsis; Hea...

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is the most common problem in premature infants. Babies born too soon have immature lungs that have not developed surfactant, a protective film that helps air sacs in the lungs to stay open. With RDS, breathing ...

Advances in medical care have made it possible for many premature infants to survive and develop normally. However, whether or not a premature infant will survive is still intimately tied to his or her gestational age: 21 weeks or less: 0% surviva...

The prognoses of premature infants vary widely, depending on gestational age, birth weight, the reasons for premature delivery, and the many other factors discussed above.

Anemia is a lower than normal number of red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the blood, usually measured by a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the red pigment in red blood cells that transports oxygen. There are many types and potential causes of anemia. For information about a specific type of anemia, see one of the following articles: Anemia - B12 deficiency Anemia - folate deficiency Anemia - iron deficiency Anemia due to chronic disease Hemolytic anemia Hemolytic anemia - G-6-PD deficiency Idiopathic aplastic anemia Idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia Immune hemolytic anemia Immune hemolytic anemia - drug-induced Megaloblastic anemia Pernicious anemia Secondary aplastic anemia Sickle cell anemia

Anemia is a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin. The tissues of the human body need a regular supply of oxygen to stay healthy.

Anemia is characterized by an abnormally low number of red blood cells in the circulating blood. It frequently affects patients with cancer.

Understanding AnemiaChemotherapy can reduce the number of red blood cells in your body. When you have too few of these cells, anemia can result.

Deficiency of red cells, or hemoglobin, in the blood. Anemia is a medical condition in which the quantity of red blood cells falls below an acceptable level.

Anemia affects more than 30 percent of the world ' s population, and it is one of the most important worldwide health problems. It has a significant prevalence in both developing and industrialized nations.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disorder that may affect infants exposed to high levels of oxygen therapy or who have been on a ventilator for extended periods of time. It is more common among premature infants whose lungs have not fully developed at the time of birth.

When you have COPD, you’re more likely to develop a lung infection (pneumonia) with a cold or the flu. To stay healthier, avoid contact with germs. Get prompt treatment at the first sign of illness.

Heart disease is any disorder that affects the heart's ability to function normally. The most common cause of heart disease is narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart itself. This happens slowly over time. (See coronary artery disease .) Some heart diseases can be present at birth (congenital heart diseases). Other causes include the following: Hypertension Abnormal function of the heart valves Abnormal electrical rhythm of the heart Weakening of the heart's pumping function caused by infection or toxins Various forms of heart disease include: Alcoholic cardiomyopathy Aortic regurgitation Aortic stenosis Arrhythmias Cardiogenic shock Congenital heart disease Coronary artery disease (CAD) Dilated cardiomyopathy Endocarditis Heart attack (myocardial infarction) Heart failure Heart tumor Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Idiopathic cardiomyopathy Ischemic cardiomyopathy Acute mitral regurgitation Chronic mitral regurgitation Mitral stenosis Mitral valve prolapse Peripartum cardiomyopathy Pulmonary stenosis Stable angina Unstable angina Tricuspid regurgitation See also chest pain .

The heart, which is about the size of a human fist, is the body ' s largest, strongest, and most important muscle. The heart continuously pumps blood through the body, helps regulate and prolong health, and controls the flow (circulation) of blood to the lungs, organs, muscles, and tissues in the body.

Heart disease is the narrowing or blockage of the arteries and vessels that provide oxygen and nutrient-rich This illustration shows hypertrophic muscle in the heart. The lesions are due to an incompetent aortic valve.

If you have diabetes, you are two to four times more likely to have heart disease than someone without diabetes. You can control your health risks by making some changes in your life.

An intimate relationship is built on being able to share feelings. The stress and worry of a heart attack or surgery can upset this closeness.

If you recently had a heart attack or heart surgery, you may be concerned about your love life. This is normal during an illness. But know that you can still enjoy sex. Here is information than can help you understand your feelings. It can also help you work with your partner to rebuild intimacy and enjoy sex again.

Some risk factors for heart disease are beyond your control, but others, such as smoking or high blood pressure, you can do something about.

Respiratory distress syndrome is one of the most common lung disorders in premature infants and causes increasing difficulty in breathing. See also ARDS ( acute respiratory distress syndrome ).

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in the Premature InfantRDS is a breathing problem common in premature infants. Many babies born at under34weeks gestational age have some RDS.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of the newborn, also known as infant RDS, is an acute lung disease present at birth, which usually affects premature babies. Layers of tissue called hyaline membranes keep the oxygen that is breathed in from passing into the blood.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of the newborn, also known as infant RDS, is an acute lung disease present at birth, which usually affects premature babies. Layers of tissue called hyaline membranes keep the oxygen that is breathed in from passing into the blood.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of the newborn, known as infant RDS, is an acute lung disease present at birth. RDS usually affects premature babies who weigh less than 5.

Jaundice is a yellow color in the skin, the mucous membranes, or the eyes. The yellow pigment is from bilirubin, a byproduct of old red blood cells.

Jaundice is a condition in which the patient has a yellow hue because of high blood levels of bilirubin, a breakdown product of hemoglobin that is potentially toxic. The yellow discoloration is most noticeable in the skin, the sclera (whites of the eyes), and the inner surface of the eyelids.

Refers to the yellowing of skin, sclera (white of eyes), mucous membranes, and of body fluids such as urine and blood plasma. Jaundice is caused by excess bilirubin in the blood stream.

Mental retardation is described as a condition that is diagnosed before age 18, and includes below-average general intellectual function, accompanied by impairment in the person?s ability to acquire the skills necessary for daily living.

Mental retardation (MR) is a developmental disability that first appears in children under the age of 18. It is defined as a level of intellectual functioning (as measured by standard intelligence tests) that is well below average and results in significant limitations in the person ' s daily living skills (adaptive functioning).

Mental retardation (MR) is a developmental disability that first appears in children under the age of 18. It is defined as a level of intellectual functioning (as measured by standard intelligence tests ) that is well below average and results in significant limitations in the person ' s daily living skills (adaptive functioning).

(Also called sociocultural or cultural-familial retardation) Mild mental retardation attributed to environmental causes and generally involving some degree of psychosocial disadvantage. The majority of persons suffering from mental retardation fall into the category of familial retardation rather than that of clinical retardation, which usually has neurological or other organic causes.

Below-average intellectual abilities that are present before the age of 18 and interfere with developmental processes and with the ability to function normally in daily life (adaptive behavior). The term mental retardation is commonly used to refer to people with an intelligence quotient (IQ) below 70.

Mental retardation is a developmental disability that first appears in children under the age of 18. It is defined as an intellectual functioning level (as measured by standard tests for intelligence quotient) that is well below average and significant limitations in daily living skills (adaptive functioning).

Mental retardation is a developmental disability that first appears in children under the age of 18. It is defined as an intellectual functioning level (as measured by standard tests for intelligence quotient) that is well below average and significant limitations in daily living skills (adaptive functioning).

Motormental retardation is delayed or decreased development of both mental and motor skills.

Necrotizing enterocolitis is an acquired disease, primarily in premature infants or sick newborns, in which intestinal tissue dies.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious bacterial infection in the intestine, primarily affecting sick or premature newborn infants. It can cause the death (necrosis) of intestinal tissue and progress to blood poisoning (septicemia).

Necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious bacterial infection in the intestine, primarily of sick or premature newborn infants. It can cause the death (necrosis) of intestinal tissue and progress to blood poisoning (septicemia).

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) of the newborn is bleeding into the fluid-filled areas (ventricles) surrounded by the brain. The condition is most often seen in premature babies.

Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood sugar, called glucose, is abnormally low. The term insulin shock is used to describe severe hypoglycemia that results in unconsciousness .

The condition called hypoglycemia is literally translated as low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar (or blood glucose) concentrations fall below a level necessary to properly support the body ' s need for energy and stability throughout its cells.

Abnormally low levels of glucose in the blood. Hypoglycemia, or insulin shock, is brought on by abnormally low levels of glucose in the blood.

Retinopathy of prematurity is abnormal blood vessel development in the retina of the eye in a premature infant .

Septicemia is the presence of bacteria in the blood ( bacteremia ) and is often associated with severe disease.

Blood poisoning, also known as septicemia or sepsis, occurs when the bloodstream becomes infected by bacteria (i.e.