Common health complication in the NICU
Chronic lung disease (CLD) - sometimes also referred to as bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
A baby's lungs are developing throughout pregnancy right up to full-term! If your baby is born prematurely, the lungs haven't been able to fully develop and are often quite stiff and immature meaning that they may require breathing support to help them. Often a baby who has required breathing support for a prolonged period of time will be diagnosed with chronic lung disease.
Some babies who have chronic lung disease will go home with breathing support, others will not! As your baby grows and their lungs develop, they should become stronger and their need for breathing support should lessen!
Low blood sugars
Low blood sugars (hypoglycaemia) is common in new-born babies, especially those born very premature! Having low blood sugars can cause feeding complications and breathing difficulties. This can be usually easily treated by giving extra feed, a gel sugar or even sometimes intravenous sugar!
PDA (Patent ductus arteriosus)
A patent ductus arteriosus is another common complication in NICU. When babies are born the ductus arteriosus should close shortly after birth, but for some babies this doesn't happen straight away, especially those born extremely prematurely. Babies need monitoring for this, some babies will have a PDA that closes on it's own, and doesn't cause complications. Other babies will need medication to help close it and some have a surgery to do so. Having a PDA can make it more difficult to come off of the ventilator, and can contribute to their heart working harder and causing further problems.
PFO (Patent foramen ovale)
A PFO is a hole between the two top chambers in the heart. Usually this should close shortly after birth but it doesn't always. Many people live for their whole life with a PFO and don't have a clue that they do. Most babies will never need any type of treatment for this. Others may need a simple surgery as they get older (or may have it closed if they need another surgery on the heart).
Pulmonary arterial hypertension(secondary to CLD)/Persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborn
Pulmonary hypertension is where your pulmonary arteries have a higher than normal blood pressure in them, the vessels in the lungs is usually relaxed to allow oxygen to be supplied around the body, for a baby with high blood pressure in the lungs these vessels are restricted. Baby's affected by this often require mechanical ventilation and sometimes a treatment called nitric oxide which helps to relax the vessels. Babies with pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic lung disease sometimes need long term medication and oxygen therapy to support the lungs whilst they grow.
Interventricular haemorrhage (IVH)
IVH's are a common complication seen in the NICU. They are commonly referred to as 'brain bleeds'. Babies who are born premature or of a low birth weight are more susceptible to having an IVH. Other babies who had difficulties during labour and delivery are also more likely to have an IVH. There are 4 grades of IVH, grade 1 and 2 being more mild and usually not leaving the baby with long lasting complications, grade 3 and 4 are more serious, and can lead to brain injury in the baby, causing long term complications.
