Final answer:
Preterm babies may experience feeding problems due to low birth weight, inadequate development of organ systems, and the lack of sufficient pulmonary surfactant. Their transition to extrauterine life requires intensive medical care to address these challenges.
Step-by-step explanation:
Feeding Problems in Preterm Babies
Preterm babies may have feeding problems due to a lack of proper development which is often associated with low birth weight and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Low birth weight is defined as being less than 2.5 kg (5.5 lb.), and it increases the risk of disease and mortality shortly after birth. Additionally, key organ systems, including the respiratory and nervous systems, may be inadequately developed in preterm infants, leading to conditions such as Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS).
Prematurely born infants might have difficulty inflating their lungs because type II cells may not have produced sufficient pulmonary surfactant, a substance crucial for reducing surface tension within the lungs and necessary for proper lung function. Another challenge for preterm infants is the drastic adjustments they must make after birth, as their bodies transition from continuous placental nutrition and oxygen to experiencing hunger and thirst. The neonatal period is critical, and these infants often require intensive medical care to manage and treat their underdeveloped systems and prevent further complications like septicemia or pulmonary hemorrhage.