Vikram V.

One World Essay: Premature Babies

Premature birth is the term used to describe the birth of an infant prior to the completion of it’s
prenatal development and normal gestation; in humans, this is typically considered to be between
the 20th and 37th weeks of pregnancy, before which it is referred to as a miscarriage. Labour is a
complex process, involving a number of factors, and as such, it’s often difficult to determine the
cause of prenatal birth. Despite this, there are a number of reasons that could be attributed to such,
both within individuals as well as populations.

One of such causes exists within multiple pregnancies; the birth of twins, triplets, quadruplets, etc.
Twins have been found to be up to five times as likely to be born prenatally then those born in a
single pregnancy (Gardner, Goldenberg, Cliver, Tucker, Nelson & Copper, 1995), with triplets
being even more vulnerable to premature birth. Alternative factors exist in the medical condition of
the mother - both anatomically and otherwise. The mother may have a weak or short cervix, or
have a uterine malfunction, leaving her uterus unable to hold the growing foetus, as it has a limited
capacity. These are considered to be the strongest predictors of preterm birth. Other medical
reasons, such as high blood pressure, and asthma may also be considered causes. The usage of
drugs, excessive alcohol and smoking by the mother in the duration of the pregnancy are considered
as environmental factors attributed to premature birth.

Certain infections, such as bacterial vagenosis, if spread can and have also resulted in an increased
level of preterm birth throughout a population, they affect the inflammatory response which leads to
preterm birth and are easily spread. Other similar infections include: pyelonephritis, asymptomatic
bacteriuria, pneumonia and appendicitis.

The problems that arise from preterm birth are usually dependent on the degree of foetal
development the infant has developed into at the stage of the birth. An average human’s gestation
period is nine months, or 38 weeks. The table below (following page) shows the effects of preterm
birth at different stages of pregnancy, as well as the development of the foetus.

Preterm babies are at greater risk of serious health problems such as celebral palsy, chronic lung
disease, vision or hearing loss, and are also more susceptible to developing depression as teenagers
(Dunn, 2004).

Vikram Verma OWE: Premature Birth 1

 Period of Development of Foetus Effects Were Birth to
Gestation (Weeks) Occur.

1-2 N.A Miscarriage

Embryonic Period
3 N.A Miscarriage

6 N.A Miscarriage

9 N.A Miscarriage

10-12 - Neck has begun to take shape.

- Body muscles partially developed.
- Begins wriggling. Miscarriage
- The mouth cavity and nose are
adjoined.

13-16 - Baby flexes and kicks.

- Bone begins to replace cartilage.
- Hormones ‘start up’. Miscarriage
- Facial expressions are made possible.
- Fingernails and Toenails are present.

19 - Heart visible in an ultrasound.

- Genitalia recognizable.
Miscarriage
- Scalp hair sprouted and continues to
develop.

23 - Sense of balance develops. Low chance of survival

- Can successfully ‘suck’. (20%). possibility of brain
- Eyebrows are visible. hemorrhaging. Drugs may
be used to accelerate the
Foetal Period

development of lungs.

27 - Eyes can open: blink, open and close. 50/50 chance of survival
outside of human body.
Lungs have been further
developed. Would
definitely require support,
eg: Incubator. Considered
the limit of viability.

31 - Eyes completely opened - can detect

Excellent chance of
light.
survival if born outside of
- Lungs and Digestive Tract are
womb (60%).
mature.

35 - Reflexes are coordinated.

- Body is growing round due too 90% chance of survival.
developing fat layers.

36-39 - Reached final birth position. Little or no effects - a

regular birth.

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Hospitals deal with preterm birth in a number of ways, and is largely
dependent on the time at which the mother gives birth. In most
modern hospitals, there are special facilities existing for the purpose
of treating preterm infants. These are commonly known as Neonatal
Intensive Care Units (NICU). In NICUs preterm babies are generally
kept in incubators (left), which serve as imitations of the placenta -
providing the baby with the resources it requires to fully develop
within the ideal temperature. At earlier stages of pregnancy, certain organs, such as the lungs (the
last organs to develop in pregnancy) may not be fully developed, and as such special medication to
accelerate their growth, as well as a ventilator.

Despite this, not all complications arising from premature birth can be resolved with science.
Certain complications stemming from preterm birth, such as brain hemorrhaging, are considered to
be incurable and can result in death. such is a limitation of science.

A controversial issue surrounding preterm birth exists in abortion. Abortion is the term used to
describe the termination of pregnancy through the removal of the foetus or embryo, resulting in it’s
death. This is considered by some to be a solution to those births in which either the mother will be
seriously crippled by the birth, or the baby will have a lower standard of living as a consequence of
itself being born. This has caused much ethical debate, as some consider it a form of murder - the
purposeful killing of another human. However, others debate, as the child is still in an embryonic
or foetal state, that it does not yet constitute a human, and cannot feel the pain of it’s death.
Personally I feel that this is largely dependent on the stage to at which the baby has developed to
before abortion is considered. At which stage does the foetus begin to feel pain and consequently
the abortion? I am however firm in my belief that, were the child guaranteed to either die or have
crippling malformations at birth, then abortion would be a positive alternative to such.

This however raises another related debate. Should doctors consider infants born with congenital
defects for treatment? How should resources be allocated towards such? Should taxpayer’s money
be spent on those who are born defected? I believe that those in such conditions should not be
allocated healthcare over other patients, but at the same time they should not be demote below
them. They have just as equal rights to healthcare as any other human, and, regardless of defection,
should be treated as such. Others argue that they are in such a state in consequence of the will of
god, and such should not be contested. However, I consider thus perspective less considerable, as
their is no evidence to support it.

The area of interaction I find this essay to be most related to is health and social education. It
explores the importance of sustaining personal well being within a physical and social environment,
complications arising through the mistreatment of such (such as in alcoholism and smoking), as
well as solutions and consequences.

997 words.

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Works Cited:

Dunn, Amanda. "Depression linked to premature birth." The Age. 4 May 2004. Web. 26 Aug. 2009.

<http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/05/03/1083436541757.html>.

"Giving birth prematurely." TheSite.org. Web. 25 Aug. 2009. <http://www.thesite.org/

sexandrelationships/familyandfriends/pregnancy/givingbirthprematurely>.

On, Committee. Preterm Birth Causes, Consequences, and Prevention. New York: National

Academies, 2007. Print.

"The origin and outcome of preterm twin pregnancies. [Obstet Gynecol. 1995] - PubMed Result."

NCBI HomePage. Web. 25 Aug. 2009. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7898832>.

"Saliva test could show likelihood of premature birth - Telegraph." The Daily Telegraph. 22 July

2009. Web. 25 Aug. 2009. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5883965/Saliva-

test-could-show-likelihood-of-premature-birth.html>.

Williams, Gareth. Biology for You Revised National Curriculum Edition of Gcse. Nashville: Nelson

Thornes, 2002. Print.

Young, Emma. "Low fish intake linked to premature birth." New Scientist Feb. 2002. Print.

"Your baby’s development in the womb month by month." Askamum. Bauer Consumer Media.

Web. 25 Aug. 2009. <http://www.askamum.co.uk/Pregnancy/Search-Results/Week-by-

week/Your-babys-development-in-the-womb-/>.

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