Pneumonia in premature children

Breathing difficulties and other complications can result from pneumonia, a serious lung illness. Pneumonia is much more common in premature babies, those born before their lungs have finished developing. They are more susceptible to infections due to their weakened immune systems, and pneumonia can quickly become fatal if treatment is delayed.

Early detection is crucial for effective treatment of pneumonia, so parents of premature children should be aware of the symptoms and signs of the illness. While fever, coughing, and rapid breathing are common symptoms, premature infants may also exhibit more subdued symptoms like skin color changes or unusual fussiness. Parents who are aware of these early warning indicators can seek medical attention as soon as possible.

This post will discuss the causes of pneumonia in preterm infants, how to identify it, and available treatments. We’ll also talk about the steps parents can take to lower the risk and maintain the best possible health for their infants.

Peculiarities

• Congenital pneumonia in premature babies are much more common than in children born on time.
• The frequency of aspiration pneumonia in such children is also increased due to their tendency to spit.
• The disease is often combined with circulatory problems, intestinal infection, hemolytic disease and other pathologies.
• The acute period of the disease at the previously born of the children lasts longer.
• Dominative symptoms in the disease in newborns are manifestations of respiratory failure and intoxication.
• The fever in premature babies is less common of hypothermia.
• Very often, complications arise, which can also be extrapulmonary.
• Pneumonia in prematurity often leads to the development of sepsis.

Causes

Bacteria, parasites, fungi, or viruses are the causes of lung inflammation in premature infants. Acute respiratory viral infections, aspiration during childbirth, infections during intrauterine development, and lung immaturity are some of the main factors that lead to their entry into the baby’s respiratory tract.

A prematurely born baby’s lungs typically have alveoli that are not sufficiently straightened, and the surfactant may be immature or of low quality. Additionally, circulatory problems are seen in such babies as soon as they are born due to disruptions in lung metabolism.

Regarding risk factors, the following may cause pneumonia in infants delivered before their due date:

• Caesarean section.
• Problems with bearing, which led to hypoxia or asphyxia.
• Infectious diseases in pregnant women, affecting the respiratory or genitourinary system.
• Hereditary diseases of the respiratory system (pneumopathies).
• CNS lesions of the child, as well as birth injuries affecting the spinal cord or brain.
• Resuscitation measures during childbirth.
• Developmental defects in the baby.
• Improper care of the baby, for example, prolonged stay of the baby in one position, poor ventilation of the room, hypothermia of the baby or its overheating.
• Poor sanitary and epidemiological conditions in the maternity hospital.

To learn how to perform resuscitation on a newborn, watch this training video:

Pneumocysts, which can infect a baby through a sick person or a carrier (typically hospital staff), are the main cause of parasitic pneumonia in prematurely born children.

The mother’s candidiasis or the rash use of broad-spectrum antibiotics on premature babies can result in fungal pneumonia, which is primarily caused by candida.

Premature children’s underdeveloped lungs make them more susceptible to respiratory infections, which makes pneumonia in them a major concern. It’s critical for parents and other caregivers to recognize the warning signs and risks of pneumonia in preemies because this illness can result in complications and prolonged hospital stays. To guarantee that these small patients have the best chance of recovery and a healthier future, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential.

Forms of pneumonia

Pneumonia can be caused by any of the following, depending on the circumstances and cause:

1. Congenital. The baby becomes infected transplacentally, that is, the pathogen enters the baby"s body through the placenta from the mother. Most often, these are pneumonias caused by the rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasma, listeria, herpes virus, mycoplasma and other pathogens.
2. Antenatal. The baby becomes infected during childbirth when it passes through an infected birth canal or when amniotic fluid containing the pathogen enters its lungs. Usually, such pneumonias are caused by mycoplasmas, streptococci, hemophilic bacilli, candida, trichomonas, ureaplasma, listeria, tuberculosis bacilli, herpes viruses, chlamydia and other infectious agents.
3. Postnatal. The baby becomes infected after birth in in hospital or at home. Such inflammations are mainly caused by Klebsiella, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter and other pathogens.

Symptoms

The disease may present with nonspecific symptoms at first. The baby’s overall condition deteriorates, and the appearance of edema may cause a significant change in body weight. Additionally, pneumonia can present as:

• Subfebrile or low temperature.
• Inhibition.
• Poor sucking.
• Irritability.
• Pale skin.
• Bloating.

Breathing disorders then accompany these symptoms. The infant starts to breathe more often, their nose wings enlarge, they start to wheeze, they have episodes of apnea, they breathe in periods, they cough, their heart rate rises, and they may release foamy mucus from their mouth.

Diagnostics

When a premature baby has pneumonia, use:

• Anamnestic data.
• Clinical picture.
• X-ray examination. On the radiograph, darkening is detected in places of inflammation.
• Laboratory data. In the blood of a child with pneumonia, a stick -core shift, a decrease in hemoglobin, a decrease in the number of platelets, leukopenia will be noted. In addition to a clinical blood test, children with suspected pneumonia are prescribed virological or bacteriological examination, urine analysis and a blood composition of the blood composition.

Treatment

Newborns with pneumonia can only receive treatment in a hospital. In addition, mothers should be positioned next to their critically ill children and assist in providing care, with the infant staying in dedicated departments in intensive care units.

To avoid the baby becoming too hot or too cold, the newborn needs to be kept in ideal circumstances. The infant’s movements shouldn’t be restricted by their clothing because their positions during the day are frequently altered. Parenterally feeding is often used for children with pneumonia; however, the doctor will decide on the type of feeding and volume of nutrition to be given, taking into consideration the baby’s condition.

In particular, the following approaches are crucial for treating this type of disease in infants:

1. Antibacterial drugs. In the first days, the antibiotic is selected at random, using broad-spectrum agents. As soon as the results of the culture and antibiogram are received, a drug is prescribed to which the pathogen is sensitive. The drug is administered parenterally.
2. Oxygen therapy. The baby is dosed with 35% heated oxygen using a mask, catheter or other devices.
3. Passive immunization. The baby is prescribed the administration of immunoglobulins and plasma.
4. Other drugs according to indications. If necessary, the child is given heart medications, probiotics, bronchodilators, glucocorticoids and other medications.

For lung sanitation, some newborns are prescribed bronchoscopies. It is advised that many kids give massages, both static and vibration.

Possible consequences and complications

Pneumothorax, atelectasis, pleurisy, and other lung pathologies can exacerbate pneumonia in an infant born prematurely. Children born prematurely may have extrapulmonary complications such as hypotrophy, otitis, hemodynamic disorders, scleroma, adrenal insufficiency, bleeding, and a variety of metabolic disorders. Sepsis is one of the most serious side effects of pneumonia in an infant born before full term.

Babies with pneumonia are more susceptible to rickets, thrush, and anemia. Furthermore, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, which results in recurrent lung and bronchial diseases, is a common side effect of pneumonia in children.

Premature babies who suffer from pneumonia face particular difficulties because of their immature lungs, which leave them more susceptible to infections. For better results, early diagnosis and treatment are essential. Many premature babies recover fully with the right care, but early detection of problems is crucial.

The warning symptoms of pneumonia, which include rapid breathing, grunting, and bluish skin, should be known to parents and other caregivers. A baby’s health can be effectively monitored and managed with the support of routine check-ups with healthcare providers.

The prognosis for premature babies with pneumonia has greatly improved thanks to advancements in medical care. These babies have a strong chance of surviving if they receive the right medical attention and supportive care. Future results are expected to be even better due to ongoing research and enhanced treatments.

Video on the topic

Pneumonia in children: recognize and not start

A 3-kilogram baby is treated in an infectious diseases hospital for pneumonia

PNEUMONIA IN A NEWBORN CHILD | The child has pneumonia what to do

❗️Pneumonia in newborns