Premature babies are babies who are born more than 3 weeks earlier than their estimated delivery date. This means if your little one is born on the 37th week or earlier, they are considered to be premature.
Premature babies will commonly experience a number of health issues. The earlier they are born, the higher the risk of these complications. Some of the common complications that may occur due to premature birth include:
- Breathing problems
- Heart complications
- Brain problems
- Temperature control issues
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Blood problems such as anemia and newborn jaundice
- Metabolism issues
- Immune system issues that lead to a higher risk of infection
All premature babies require complex medical care both in the NICU and at home. This guide will outline some of the complications that are likely to arise in premature babies depending on the week that they are born. Here is a week-by-week look at premature babies’ complications.
Weeks 23-24
Studies show that about 50% of premature babies born between weeks 23 and 24 of pregnancy will survive delivery. Babies born at this stage are called micro-preemies.
Between weeks 23 and 24, the baby’s skin will be covered by fine hair called lanugo to keep them warm because the fat layer under the skin won’t have developed yet. They’ll have thin, delicate skin and their eyes will be fused shut. They will have fully developed hearing, eyebrows, eyelashes, and fingernails.
Complications at this stage:
The lower airways are just starting to develop at this stage. Therefore, babies born at 23 to 24 weeks will need respiratory support for extended periods.
Weeks 25-26
Babies born between weeks 25 and 26 will have developed the startle reflex, which allows them to startle when they hear loud noises. Their fingerprints and footprints will also be developing.
Complications at this stage:
At this stage, the baby’s lungs are just starting to develop the air sacks. They are still too young to breathe on their own, though, and will still require external assistance to do so.
Weeks 27-28
Babies born between weeks 27 and 28 are not considered micro-preemies. Instead, they are called “very premature babies.” Studies show that at this stage, premature babies have a 95% survival rate.
Babies born between weeks 27 and 28 will be able to blink and see images. They will also have more coordinated sleep and wake cycles.
Complications at this stage:
Babies born at this stage still require extensive medical care and will have to stay in the NICU for a while. Their respiratory and immune systems are still in the earliest stages of development which means they will require specialized care throughout.
Weeks 29-30
Babies born between weeks 29 and 30 have better-developed vital organs. They have fat stored under their skin and have started to shed their lanugo. They are more sensitive to light and sound, which means bright lights and loud noises make them uncomfortable.
Complications at this stage:
They will still need to spend some time in the NICU. This is because their digestive system is not fully developed yet. They also need some time to develop their eating muscles before they can start to nipple feed. Additionally, kangaroo care is highly recommended to help develop the bond between you and your baby.
Weeks 31-32
Babies born at this stage have a high survival rate and will quickly catch up to their peers with few long-term health effects due to prematurity.
Between weeks 31 and 32, babies gain a lot of body fat, making them start to look plump. They are also able to better regulate their body temperature, which means they can survive without the assistance of an incubator. They can still get overstimulated by bright lights and loud noises.
Complications at this stage:
Even though they look like smaller versions of full-term babies, they still need special care. Their immune systems are still not fully mature yet, and they still need to learn how to suck to be able to feed without help from equipment. They also need the extra protection of an incubator as they sleep so they can thrive and grow.
Weeks 33-34
At this stage, premature babies are no longer called very premature babies. Instead, they are referred to as “moderately preterm babies.” They are almost fully formed and have fully developed bones, fingernails, and reproductive organs.
Complications at this stage:
However, their respiratory system is still being developed. Additionally, they have not received enough antibodies from the mother to fully form their immune systems, so they have compromised immune systems. They also need to learn how to eat by developing their suck-swallow-breathe reflex.
For this reason, they may need to stay in the NICU for a while. Their stays will likely be shorter though, and once they learn to eat, they will probably be discharged.
Weeks 35-36
Babies born between weeks 35 to 36 are known as late preterm infants. While they look like full-term babies, they are still a little premature.
Complications at this stage:
Their lungs need a few more weeks to fully develop, and they need some help to feed effectively. The good news is that babies born at this stage will only need a short stint in the NICU so they can fully develop before going home.
