Describe the effect of extremely low birth weight babies on the family and community. Consider short-term and long-term impacts, socioeconomic implications, the need for ongoing care, and comorbidities associated with prematurity. PDF

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Describe the effect of extremely low birth weight babies on the family and community. Consider short-term and long-term impacts, socioeconomic implications, the need for ongoing care, and comorbidities associated with prematurity. Explain how disparities relative to ethnic and cultural groups may co...

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1 Topic 1 DQ 1 Describe the effect of extremely low birth weight babies on the family and community. “Low birth weight is a serious public health concern for any community or society because it is a leading cause of infant death. It is also important to note that LBW rates are important indicators of community well-being because many of the factors associated with LBW can be linked to socioeconomic deprivation.” Sims, M., Sims, T. L., & Bruce, M. L. (2008).

Babies born before their term or at term can be identified as low birth weight. There are tree categories – •

Low birth weight (LBW): A LBW baby weighs less than 2500 grams, or 5 lbs 5 oz.

• Very low birth weight (VLBW): A VLBW baby weighs less than 1500 grams, or about 3 lb 9 oz. • Extremely low birth weight (ELBW): An ELBW baby weighs less than 1000 grams, or about 2 lb 3 oz. Brid, C., & Nzeh, V. (2020, September 20). ELBW babies are the most prematurely born and have higher morbidity and complications. Health Problems in the NICU. most common health problems of very premature babies include:       

Apnea of prematurity: Because their nervous systems are immature, premature babies may have periods of apnea or bradycardia. Anemia: Anemia (a lack of red blood cells) is common in premature babies. Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH): About 15% to 20% of very premature babies develop IVH. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA): 25% of babies born before 28 weeks and 12% of babies born between 28 and 32 weeks had a PDA. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS): About 70% to 85% of very premature babies need treatment for RDS Sepsis: 36% of preterm babies suffer from at least one infection while in the hospital after birth. PREMATURE BABIES. (2019, October 1). Short-Term Effects of Preterm Birth: - require special care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). At higher risk of being readmitted to the hospital and at higher risk of death after they go home. Two of the most serious problems of preterm birth are respiratory distress and immature brains:

Long-Term Effects of Preterm Birth: Preterm babies can suffer lifelong effects such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, visual and hearing impairments, and poor health and growth. These babies often have long-term difficulties such as: Behavioral and social-emotional problems,

2 Learning difficulties, Increased risk of conditions such as Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They also have Increased risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) (UK Healthcare. Retrieved May 18, 2021) Consider short-term and long-term impacts, socioeconomic implications, the need for ongoing care, and comorbidities associated with prematurity. Any on going treatment or special care is a burden on the family and community as a whole. Early intervention and special education needs to be addressed for preterm babies in many cases. Preterm babies are more likely as adults to have chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.

Explain how disparities relative to ethnic and cultural groups may contribute to low birth weight babies. Low birth weight (LBW) is recognized as one of the primary factors contributing to racial/ethnic disparities as the African-American LBW rate has been at least twice the corresponding rate for Whites for decades (United States Department of Health and Human Services, 2000). Identify one support service within your community to assist with preterm infants and their families and explain how the service adequately addresses the needs of the community, or a population in your community. Early Steps is Florida's early intervention system that offers services to eligible infants and toddlers, age birth to 36 months, who have or are at-risk for developmental disabilities or delays. Early intervention supports families and caregivers to increase their child’s participation in daily activities and routines that are important to the family Provide the link to the resource in your post. http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/childrens-health/early-steps/index.html

References Brid, C., & Nzeh, V. (2020, September 20). Low Birth Weight Baby Risks, Types, and Causes. www.verywellfamily.com. Retrieved May 18, 2021, from https://www.verywellfamily.com/what-is-a-low-birth-weight-baby-2748477 PREMATURE BABIES. (2019, October 1). www.marchofdimes.org. Retrieved May 18, 2021, from https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/premature-babies.aspx

3 Short and Long-Term Effects of Preterm Birth. (n.d.). UK Healthcare. Retrieved May 18, 2021, from https://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/wellness-community/health-information/short-longterm-effects-preterm-birth Sims, M., Sims, T. L., & Bruce, M. L. (2008). Race, Ethnicity, Concentrated Poverty, and Low Birth Weight Disparities. Journal of National Black Nurses' Association, 19(1), 12–18. Retrieved May 18, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5014353/...