Why does premature infants have difficulty breathing?

Answer 1

Premature babies are not ALWAYS sick. If they are born extremely premature then they have a higher risk for things like infection, respiratory distress, NEC, just to name a few. But older premature babies, for example a 33 week baby, may be perfectly healthy, just needs to learn how to nipple feed and gain weight before he/she goes home. A premature baby such as that would not be considered "sick".

Answer 2

This is because premature babies don't produce or don't produce enough of a substance called surfactant, a detergent like substance that decreases surface tension of the inner lining of the lung. Essentially, it helps the lung inflate without much effort by preventing binding of the lung surfaces.

Answer 3

the lungs are the last part to develop on a baby. A premature baby hasn't fully developed their lungs yet.

Answer 4

Unless the infant is sick or choking, it should not at all have a hard time breathing.

Answer 5

Usually infants often have difficulty breathing from anaphylactic shock, choking, or trauma.

Answer 6

The lungs have not fully developed in a premature infant.

Answer 7

becase they have werd bone