Patient's question:
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: Why did my wife have a premature birth? The child has already been born and stayed in the incubator for 4 days, but was pronounced dead after rescue efforts failed.Hour
Duration of the current illness and persistence: 80 hours
Previous diagnoses and treatment history and effectiveness: Poor
Ancillary tests: Blood test
Doctor's answer:
Premature birth is an issue that women need to pay attention to during pregnancy. Since premature birth has a significant impact on the fetus, it is important to be cautious during pregnancy. To provide better protection, it is crucial to be familiar with the causes of premature birth.1. Fetal Causes: Twin or multiple pregnancies, polyhydramnios, fetal malformations, placental abnormalities such as placenta previa, placental abruption, and placental insufficiency.
2. History of Abortion: A history of abortion, especially late miscarriage, repeated abortions, induced abortion, or pregnancy again within less than one year after a miscarriage, has the greatest impact on pregnant women. Since abortion causes varying degrees of damage to the cervix, leading to cervical insufficiency, it increases the risk of premature birth.
3. Age Factors: Pregnant women under 20 or over 35 have a significantly higher risk of premature birth, especially those under 20. The incidence of premature birth in this group is 11 times higher than in the 20–34 age group.
4. Maternal Causes: Acute infections, chronic diseases (e.g., heart, liver, kidney diseases), preeclampsia, uterine malformations, premature rupture of membranes, intrauterine ascending infections, antepartum bleeding, trauma, diarrhea, and coughing. Pregnant women with severe anemia may also experience premature birth due to tissue hypoxia, insufficient oxygen supply to the uterus and placenta. Poor nutrition in pregnant women, especially insufficient protein, vitamin E, and folic acid deficiency, is another cause of premature birth. Additionally, improper sexual activity during pregnancy, excessive physical activity, and lifting heavy objects may also lead to premature birth.
5. Lifestyle and Environmental Factors: Engaging in heavy physical labor, working excessively long or exhausting hours can significantly increase the risk of premature birth. Frequent emotional fluctuations or excessive mental stress can disrupt the function of the cerebral cortex, increase the secretion of catecholamines, excite the sympathetic nervous system, and constrict blood vessels, making premature birth more likely.