Premature infant
Alternative Names
Preterm infant; PreemieSymptoms
A premature infant has organs that are not fully developed. The infant needs special care in a nursery until the organ systems have developed enough to sustain life without medical support. This may take weeks to months.
A premature infant will have a low birth weight. Common symptoms in a premature infant include:
- Body hair
- Episodes of absent breathing
- Enlarged clitoris (female infant)
- Lung problems such as neonatal respiratory distress syndrome
- Poor feeding
- Small scrotum, smooth without ridges (male infant)
- Soft, flexible ear cartilage
- Thin, smooth, shiny skin
- Transparent skin (can see veins under skin)
- Usually inactive -- however, may be unusually active immediately after birth
- Weak cry
- Wrinkled features
This list may not be all inclusive.
Exams and Tests
The infant may have a low body temperature and show signs of breathing problems.
Common tests performed on a premature infant include:
- Blood gas analysis
- Blood tests to check glucose, calcium, and bilirubin levels
- Chest x-ray
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