Prematurity is a prime concern when it comes to infant health care. While there have been lots of improvements in the field, premature birth remains one of the leading causes of infant mortality and morbidity.

Premature birth can cause a range of medical issues in infants and can lead to recurrent hospitalization. In this article, we will explore the impact of prematurity on infant hospitalization rates.

What is Prematurity?

Prematurity occurs when the infant is born before 37 weeks of gestation. In usual cases, the baby is given the chance to develop in the womb to a full term of around 40 weeks.

Premature babies might need additional care, as they have not had the opportunity to develop and grow fully in the mother’s womb. As a result, they are susceptible to a variety of health issues and can require significant medical attention, including hospitalization.

Preterm babies are born with underdeveloped organs, requiring special care and monitoring. The following are some of the medical issues that premature babies often experience:.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

RDS refers to breathing difficulties that occur due to a lack of a lung chemical called surfactant, which helps the lungs to expand.

As a result, premature babies with RDS require mechanical ventilation to maintain their breathing mechanism and hospitalization, usually in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Infectious Diseases

Because preterm babies have an underdeveloped and delicate immune system, they are more prone to bacterial and viral infections than full-term babies.

There is usually a need for hospitalization if the baby develops any infections, requiring treatments, and specialized neonatal care.

Jaundice

Jaundice is common among premature infants due to the underdevelopment of their liver. The baby’s skin and whites of the eyes appear yellowish due to excessive bilirubin in the bloodstream, which the liver cannot process.

Most cases of jaundice do not require any hospitalization, but severe cases may require treatment, including phototherapy, and close monitoring, usually in the NICU.

Cardiovascular Issues

Cardiovascular issues such as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) are common among premature babies. PDA refers to a heart condition where the ductus arteriosus, which connects the fetal and infant heart, remains unclosed.

It can cause a range of medical issues and usually requires medication and, in some severe cases, surgery. This condition can require hospitalization to closely monitor and treat effectively.

The Impact on Infant Hospitalization Rates

Prematurity is a major factor that affects infant hospitalization rates. Babies born prematurely are at a significantly higher risk of recurrent hospitalization than full-term babies.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2019 about 1 out of 10 infants were born preterm, and they accounted for more than 17% of infant deaths in the US. In addition to mortality, preterm babies have higher hospitalization rates and longer hospital stays than full-term babies, leading to an increased cost of care.

A recent study published in the Journal of Pediatrics showed that premature babies were 10 times more likely to be hospitalized than full-term babies in their first year of life, and twice as likely to be readmitted within 30 days of dismissal.

Conclusion

Prematurity is a leading cause of infant mortality and morbidity, with preterm babies being at a higher risk of hospitalization than full-term babies.

The medical issues that affect most preterm babies require specialized medical care, including neonatal intensive care, and may require recurrent hospitalization and prolonged hospital stays. The impact of prematurity on infant hospitalization rates increases the cost of infant care and causes significant stress for parents and caregivers.

Fortunately, increasing awareness of premature births, early prenatal care, improved neonatal care, and better management of preterm delivery can all help reduce the impact of premature births and improve the health outcomes of preterm babies.