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Dear Parenting Digest Subscriber:
Welcome to Summer!
In our June issue we take a look at the concerns of the premature infant. We also lay out the basics of tube feedings, what they are and the advantages and disadvantages for children.
Many families will be going on vacation this summer and traveling by car, so you may want to review the car seat and booster seat laws before making that trip.Remember, if you can't find an answer on our website or if you have a specific question or concern about your child, you can always contact us at Ask A TherapistEarly Intervention Support is a place for families who are facing any challenge
pertaining to their child's growth and development. It is a place where you can
come to find answers and practical suggestions from licensed therapists on how
to work on a variety of issues. Whether you are a parent, grandparent or
therapist of a child with a disability, challenging behavior or other
developmental issue-childhood is short, it should be savored and enjoyed!  |
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FEATURED ARTICLE: The Premature Infant
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Premature babies, typically referred to as "preemies" enter
the word earlier than their full term peers, at 37 weeks or fewer gestation.
Many preemies are born with low birth weight (under 5.5 lbs or 2500 grams) and
require some extra medical attention or even a NICU (neonatal intensive care
unit) stay.
There are many causes that can lead to prematurity, such as
poor prenatal care, poor maternal nutrition, smoking, drug use, lack of weight
gain, stress and maternal age (over 35 or under 19). Other causes such as
illness, hormone imbalance, infections, physical abnormalities of the uterus or
carrying multiples are not under a mother's control.
The March of Dimes currently reports that around 12% of
babies are born prematurely and this rate has risen due to the number of
multiple births (twins, triplets, quads) that have also increased recently. Due
to modern advances in care for premature babies, the survival rate of babies
weighing at least 2.5 lbs (800 grams) or more is around 90% and for babies
weighing a little more than 1 lb (500 grams) it is around 40-50%. The less a
baby weighs at birth the higher the chance for medical and other complications.
Some common health
problems that affect premature babies are as follows (not all inclusive):
Apnea- Apnea is
usually caused by immaturity in the area of the brain that controls the ability
to breathe. Almost all babies born at 30 weeks or less will experience apnea.
During an apnea spell the baby may stop breathing, the heart rate may decrease
and they may turn blue.
Hyperbilirubinemia- Infants
with hyperbilirubinemia have high levels of bilirubin, a compound that
results from the natural breakdown of blood. This high level of bilirubin
causes them to develop jaundice, a yellow discoloration of the skin and whites
of the eyes.
Low Blood Pressure- A
common complication that occurs shortly after birth.
Anemia- Many
premature infants lack the number of red blood cells necessary to carry
adequate oxygen to the body.
Bronchopulmonary
Dysplasia- Involves abnormal development of lung tissue and is
characterized by inflammation and scarring in the lungs.
Nycrotizing Entercolitis-
A gastrointestinal disease that mostly affects premature infants, NEC
involves infection and inflammation that causes destruction of the bowel (intestine)
or part of the bowel.
Respiratory Distress
Syndrome-The infant's immature lungs don't produce enough surfactant,
which allows the inner surface of the lungs to expand properly when the infant
makes the change from the womb to breathing air after birth.
Infection- Preemies
do not fight infection as well as full term babies.
Patent Ductant
Arteriosus (PDA)- The ductus arteriosus is a short blood vessel that connects
the main blood vessel supplying the lungs to the aorta, the main blood vessel
that leaves the heart. Its function in the unborn baby is to allow blood to
bypass the lungs, because oxygen for the blood comes from the mother and not
from breathing air. In full-term babies, the ductus arteriosus closes shortly
after birth, but it frequently stays open in premature babies. When this
happens, excess blood flows into the lungs and can cause breathing difficulties
and sometimes heart failure.
Retinopathy of
Prematurity-The abnormal growth of the blood vessels in an infant's eye
which can lead to visual impairments.
Click here to finish reading the article on The Premature Infant
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What Are Tube Feedings?
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Tube feedings are a way for
children to receive necessary calories, fluids and medications.
Some possible
reasons a child may need to be tube fed:
Central nervous system problems
Gastrointestinal diseases
Severe gastroesophageal reflux (GER)
Severe refusal to eat food
Disorders of the esophagus
Abnormalities of the anatomy of the gastrointestinal
tract
Severe cleft lip/cleft palate
Some Different Types of Tube Feedings include:
What is a Gastrostomy
(GT)?
A surgeon makes an opening through the skin, abdominal wall and stomach
wall, then puts a tube into the opening, or a small porthole-like device that
has an opening at skin level (gastrostomy button or Mic-key button).
Gastrostomy is the name of the opening into the stomach through the abdomen.
What are some
advantages of a Gastrostomy (GT)?
- The ability to provide additional food and calories.
No nasogastric tubes (through the nose) are needed, so
less irritation from tape
Feedings can be done at night when child is asleep.
Does not interfere with daily activities.
Less chance of child spitting up.
Less chance of tube coming out.
What are some
disadvantages of a Gastrostomy (GT)?
The gastrostomy site can
become infected, leak, become irritated or malfunction. The child can become
resistant to wanting to eat orally if allowed.
If your child has a feeding tube and you have concerns about your child's eating and are in the greater Pittsburgh, PA area visit the link below or call:
Thrive Place™ Child Development Center
GOOD THINGS HAPPEN HERE!
Thrive Place, 4070 Beechwood Blvd.,
Unit One Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-521-1067
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"You can never appreciate the shade of a tree unless you sweat in the sun."
-- Author Unknown
From The Team At Early Intervention Support
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