Nicotine And The Developing Fetus
Can secondary problems result if the baby is born too small?
- A low-birthweight premature baby is at greater risk of developing breathing problems.
In the United States about 40,000 babies a year — most of whom were born before the 34th week of pregnancy — suffer from respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), a leading cause of death and disability among premature babies.
These babies lack a chemical mixture called surfactant.
They do not get enough oxygen into their blood or enough carbon dioxide out of it.
- Some low-birthweight babies have salt or water imbalances or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can cause brain damage.
Premature babies are more likely to develop jaundice and turn yellow because their livers may be slow to start functioning on their own.
A severe problem can lead to brain damage.
- A premature baby may be anemic (not have enough red blood cells).
Normally, during the latter months of pregnancy a fetus stores iron to make red blood cells and uses it after birth.
Infants born too soon may not have had enough time to store iron.
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