Is premature birth prone to cerebral palsy?

Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
Updated on September 18, 2024
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Under normal circumstances, not all preterm infants will develop cerebral palsy. Preterm babies are more susceptible due to their immature organ systems compared to full-term babies. If they face poor adaptation to the environment during or after childbirth, it can increase the likelihood of developing cerebral palsy. However, this does not mean that cerebral palsy will occur in all cases. Furthermore, since the brain development system is not fully mature in preterm infants, conditions such as brain hypoxia may occur, which can affect the brain and contribute to the development of cerebral palsy.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Premature birth is how many months?

Preterm birth refers to a newborn born between 28 and less than 38 weeks of pregnancy. Moreover, at this time, the heart size is generally more than 1000 grams. There are many reasons for this occurrence, most of which are related to intrauterine infection in pregnant women, such as patients with premature rupture of membranes or chorioamnionitis are prone to preterm birth. Additionally, if there has been a previous pregnancy, abortion, with a short interval between them, or if an ultrasound detects that the cervical length is less than 25 millimeters, there is also an increased likelihood of preterm birth.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What should I do if a premature baby spits up milk?

For premature babies who experience spitting up, first pay attention to the feeding position. During feeding, make sure to hold the baby up with their head higher than their buttocks, which facilitates the smooth passage of milk through the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, if the baby vomits, first pick the baby up and gently pat their back to help release some of the residual gas in the stomach, which can reduce spitting up and vomiting. Also, during feeding, be mindful not to feed too much at once; feeding small amounts more frequently can also help prevent spitting up.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Causes of Premature Birth

Generally, there are many reasons that can cause symptoms of preterm birth. Normally, due to reasons such as cervical dilation, or the occurrence of regular abdominal pain, preterm labor may be induced. In some cases, long-term vaginal inflammatory conditions can lead to premature rupture of membranes, or cervical canal dilation may also cause preterm birth. If symptoms of preterm birth occur at present, it is necessary to actively suppress contractions, protect the fetus, and provide symptomatic treatment. If this is ineffective, it is advisable to actively prepare for rescuing and caring for the newborn.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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How many weeks early can a premature baby survive?

Preterm birth refers to births that occur after 28 weeks of pregnancy but before 37 weeks. Preterm infants have lower resistance compared to full-term infants and generally require special care to survive. The survival rate varies with the gestational age: at 32 to 33 weeks, the survival rate can reach 95%; at 28 to 31 weeks, it is between 90% and 95%; at 26 weeks, it is around 80%; and at 27 weeks, it is about 90%. After 34 weeks of pregnancy, the survival rate of the baby is very high, almost the same as that of a full-term baby.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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How to prevent preterm birth

The causes of preterm birth are numerous, and prevention mainly involves addressing these causes. For etiological reasons, proactive treatment of some chronic diseases is necessary. For pregnant women with a history of preterm birth, it is crucial to pay close attention two to three weeks before the previous preterm birth date. They should avoid overexertion, abstain from sexual activity, and rest in bed until the expected due date. It is also important to identify the causes of preterm birth, such as cervical insufficiency. If so, a cerclage surgery can be performed around the 14th week of pregnancy. If a pregnant woman shows signs of labor or preterm birth, she should be given oxygen immediately, and an injection of vitamin K should be administered to prevent intracranial hemorrhage in the newborn.