A premature baby is any infant that is born before 37th week of the pregnancy, although full term babies who have a low birth weight are also considered to be “premmies.” When a child is born too early or appears to be too small, they are usually placed in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where doctors and nurses that specialize in the care of premature babies can monitor their progress and treat any complications that may arise.

One common complication that many “premmies” face is immature lungs. Due to their early birth, their lungs have not yet developed enough to breathe properly in the atmosphere outside the womb. Three medical conditions that can result from the baby having immature lungs are Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), Transient Tachypnea, and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD).

RDS is harsh, irregular breathing that is caused by a lack of surfactant, an agent that prevents the lungs from collapsing. If a baby is suffering from this condition, the doctor can use a number of methods to treat him. He can administer supplemental oxygen supplies through a respirator or an oxygen hood. Continuous positive airway pressure can also be applied to stabilize the baby's breathing. The child may also need to spend some time in an endotracheal incubator. In the most severe cases of RSD, the doctor may need to administer doses of the surfactant agent to prevent the lungs from collapsing on their own.

Transient Tachypnea is the rapid, shallow breathing that a “premmie” experiences and usually proves to be temporary, passing in a few days time. This condition can occur in full term babies as well.

BPD is a more serious breathing condition that occurs when a child shows signs of lung deterioration. When a “premmie” needs to be on a ventilator for a long period of time, his immature lungs may not be able to hold up under the constant pressure of the respirator. Babies that are on a respirator for over 28 days are especially at a high risk of getting BPD. Once the respirator is removed, this condition usually improves, although the recovery time varies from infant to infant.

As well as these respiratory problems that are associated with immature lungs, a premature infant may also suffer from two other conditions that are known as Apnea and Bradycardia, which are oftentimes tied together. Apnea occurs when the “premmie” totally quits breathing for a few seconds at a time. Bradycardia occurs when the infant's heart rate begins to drop, often in response to the apnea. Physical contact with the baby (such as tapping his chest or back) can usually stimulate him to breathe, causing both of these conditions to subside.

A premature baby also runs a higher risk for developing pneumonia when compared to a full-term infant. Again, this type of lung infection is caused by all the other respiratory problems that these tiny babies can face. It can be treated with antibiotics as well as through intubation and the administration for supplemental oxygen. If left unchecked, the infection can develop into meningitis, sepsis, or one of a number of other serious conditions that can be fatal.

While there are many medical conditions that can affect a premature baby, respiratory problems are several of the most common. Again, most “premmies” are immediately moved to an NICU unit, which will enable the doctors and nurses to identify these conditions right away and begin an effective treatment program. Early detection can ensure that a premature baby can develop into a normal and healthy child.