2020-12-05 00:00
Preterm birth is when a baby is born too early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy have been completed. In 2019, preterm birth affected 1 of every 10 infants born in the United States. Photo from https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/pretermbirth.htm – 11:30 Risks Resulting from Preterm Births Preterm babies are at increased risk of cognitive issues, visual/hearing impairments, and health concerns Increased risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Babies born a few weeks early (late preterm, 34-36 weeks) often face long-term difficulties such as: Behavioral and social-emotional problems Learning difficulties Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Children born preterm are more likely as adults to have chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension and diabetes Mothers who deliver preterm have an increased risk of having subsequent preterm deliveries as well as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and renal disease Increased risk of cerebral palsy, mental retardation Preterm infants have reduced nephron numbers at birth in proportion to gestational age, and are at increased risk of neonatal acute kidney injury as well as higher blood pressure, proteinuria, and chronic kidney disease later in life. -Luyckx V. Preterm Birth and its Impact on Renal Health. Seminars in Nephrology. 2017; 37(4): 311-319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semnephrol.2017.05.002 mothers who deliver preterm have an increased risk of having subsequent preterm deliveries as well as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and renal disease later in life. -Luyckx V. Preterm Birth and its Impact on Renal Health. Seminars in Nephrology. 2017; 37(4): 311-319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semnephrol.2017.05.002 Preterm birth in a female infant is also a risk factor for her future risk…