Premature Infant

Signs and Symptoms

A premature infant will have a lower birth weight than a full-term infant.

a) Integumentary
Thin, smooth, shiny skin that is often transparent (can see veins under skin)
Soft, flexible ear cartilage
Newborn jaundice
Body hair (lanugo)

b) Neurological
Bleeding into the brain or damage to the brain's white matter
Lack of reflexes for sucking and swallowing, leading to feeding difficulties
In mother
Contractions every 10 minutes or more often
Backache, usually in lower back.

c) Respiratory
Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, extra air in the tissue of the lungs
(pulmonary interstitial emphysema), or bleeding in the lungs (pulmonary
hemorrhage)
Problems breathing due to immature lungs, pneumonia, patent ductus arteriosus.
Abnormal breathing patterns (shallow, irregular pauses in breathing called apnea)

d) Cardiovascular
Patent ductus arteriosus

e) Gastrointestinal
Lower muscle tone and less activity than full-term infants
Problems feeding due to trouble sucking or coordinating swallowing and breathing
Severe intestinal inflammation (necrotizing enterocolitis)
In mother
Flu-like symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

f) Genito-urinary

g) Reproductive
Enlarged clitoris (in female infants)
 Small scrotum that is smooth and has no ridges, and undescended testicles (in male
infants)

In mother
Cramping in the lower abdomen or menstrual-like cramps. Fluid leaking from
your vagina
Bag of water breaks
Increased pressure in your pelvis or vagina

h) Endocrine

i) Musculoskeletal
Less body fat can lead to low body temperature,
Small size, with a disproportionately large head

j) Lymphatic
Infection or neonatal sepsis

k) Hematologic
Anemia
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

l) Psychosocial