Patient's question:
Patient Gender: My friend's sister, currently 27 years old, gave birth prematurely after being pregnant for seven months. When discharged, both the mother and baby were in fair condition. They are now feeding at home, but lack knowledge and experience in how to feed a premature baby. Please ask the doctor: How should they feed the baby, and what should they pay attention to?Detailed medical history and consultation purpose:
Doctor's answer:
Characteristics of Premature Infants】1. Physical Appearance Premature infants typically weigh less than 2500g, measure less than 47cm in length, have a weak cry, soft neck muscles, hypotonic limbs, delicate skin, abundant lanugo, soft earlobes, indistinct areolae, few footprints, and undescended or incompletely descended testes in male infants. In female infants, the labia majora cannot cover the labia minora.
2. Respiratory System Premature infants have relatively less mature respiratory centers, leading to irregular breathing and frequent apnea. Apnea refers to a pause in breathing lasting 15–20 seconds, or a pause shorter than 15 seconds accompanied by bradycardia (heart rate <100 beats/min) and cyanosis. Due to underdeveloped lungs and insufficient surfactant, premature infants are prone to respiratory distress syndrome. Those with a history of intrauterine distress are at higher risk of aspiration pneumonia.
3. Digestive System Premature infants have weak swallowing reflexes, making them prone to choking and milk aspiration. Their cardiac sphincter is (relaxed) and stomach capacity is small, leading to frequent spitting up. Breastfeeding is ideal for premature infants, but protein intake should be increased promptly. They are also susceptible to necrotizing enterocolitis, and milk osmolarity should not exceed 460mmol/L.
Due to immature liver function and insufficient glucuronidation enzymes, premature infants experience more severe and prolonged physiological jaundice, increasing the risk of kernicterus. Their underdeveloped liver also results in reduced synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, making them prone to bleeding disorders.
4. Nervous System The function of the nervous system is closely related to gestational age—the younger the gestational age, the poorer the reflexes. Premature infants are prone to hypoxia, which can lead to...