Education Campaign Concerns Health Issues of Near-Term Infants
Posted on: Friday, 5 August 2005, 03:01 CDT
Recent studies show that babies born just three to six weeks early are at greater risk for potentially serious health problems than full-term newborns and often require longer or repeated hospital stays.
To raise awareness of the needs of near-term infants and help health care providers assess and properly care for them, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) has launched an education campaign.
In the last six weeks of pregnancy, the unborn baby gains approximately one-half pound per week, so babies born at 34 weeks may be one-and-a-half pounds smaller than those born at 37 weeks. Near-term infants have their own unique health considerations.
Because near-term infants tend to eat less, for example, they may need to be fed more often. They also may have trouble coordinating sucking and swallowing and may need to be watched closely while they are eating.
If a baby is not eating, even for less than a day, the parents or caregiver should contact the baby's nurse practitioner or pediatrician. Some near-term infants may have problems breast- feeding. A mother who chooses to breast-feed may need to ask for support from a nurse, physician or lactation consultant.
Most healthy full-term babies will wake up when they need to eat. A near-term infant may be sleepier than most full-term infants and may sleep through needed feedings, in which case she or he should be awakened to eat. All infants should be placed on their backs to sleep.
Near-term infants may be at greater risk for respiratory distress. Problems in this area are most likely to be noticed and treated before discharge from the hospital, but if a baby seems to be having trouble breathing, parents or a caregiver should contact the baby's nurse practitioner or pediatrician immediately or dial 911 if it is an emergency.
- Carolyn Susman
Source: Palm Beach Post
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