17/11/2023
Today is World Prematurity Day.
Elliott fought so hard in the 5 months he was with us, and he overcame so much in his little life, with the fabulous care from Liverpool Women's Hospital's NICU. He and all of his nicu buddies are little warriors.
Elliott and Archie are and will always be our heroes and would never want us to give up!
Micro-preemies have to fight for their lives from the minute they are born. Only 78% of babies born at the same gestation as Elliott survive. Babies born earlier than 26 weeks have only a 30% - 70% chance of survival.
While not all premature babies experience complications, being born too early can cause short-term and long-term health problems. Generally, the earlier a baby is born, the higher the risk of complications.
Breathing problems- a premature baby may have trouble breathing due to an immature respiratory system.
Premature babies may also develop a lung disorder known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In addition, some preterm babies may experience prolonged pauses in their breathing, known as apnea.
Heart problems - the most common heart problems premature babies experience are patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and low blood pressure (hypotension). PDA is a persistent opening between the aorta and pulmonary artery. While this heart defect often closes on its own, left untreated it can lead to a heart murmur, heart failure as well as other complications. Low blood pressure may require adjustments in intravenous fluids, medicines and sometimes blood transfusions.
Brain problems - the earlier a baby is born, the greater the risk of bleeding in the brain, known as an intraventricular hemorrhage. Most hemorrhages are mild and resolve with little short-term impact. But some babies may have larger brain bleeding that causes permanent brain injury.
Temperature control problems - premature babies can lose body heat rapidly. They don't have the stored body fat of a full-term infant, and they can't generate enough heat to counteract what's lost through the surface of their bodies. If body temperature dips too low, an abnormally low core body temperature (hypothermia) can result.
Gastrointestinal problems - premature infants are more likely to have immature gastrointestinal systems, resulting in complications such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). This potentially serious condition, in which the cells lining the bowel wall are injured, can occur in premature babies after they start feeding. Premature babies who receive only breast milk have a much lower risk of developing NEC.
Blood problems - premature babies are at risk of blood problems such as anemia and newborn jaundice. Anemia is a common condition in which the body doesn't have enough red blood cells. While all newborns experience a slow drop in red blood cell count during the first months of life, the decrease may be greater in premature babies.
Immune system problems - an underdeveloped immune system, common in premature babies, can lead to a higher risk of infection. Infection in a premature baby can quickly spread to the bloodstream, causing sepsis, an infection that spreads to the bloodstream.
In the long term, premature birth may lead to the following complications:
Cerebral palsy.
Impaired learning.
Vision problems - premature infants may develop retinopathy of prematurity, if undetected, can impair vision and cause blindness.
Hearing problems.
Dental problems.
Behavioral and psychological problems as well as developmental delays.
Chronic health issues - premature babies are more likely to have chronic health issues. Infections, asthma and feeding problems are more likely to develop or persist.
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/for-elliott-and-archie?utm_medium=email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=20220728_
