Pediatria pre prax 3/2011

Premature infant in the care of a pediatric practitioner

A review article on the care for premature infants in a pediatric office, focused on very-low-birth-weight infants who attract the main attention. Besides common treatment and prevention measures they need solving of health problems that may last from peri-neonatal period for a long time. A special care is realized by PP in cooperation with neonatal developmental care centre. In the successful management of somatic diseases (anemia, nutritional and growth compromise, gastroesophageal reflux, osteopathy, bronchopulmonary dysplasia etc.) and impairment of sensorial and psychomotor development other medical as well as non-medical professionals are often needed. Specific features of vaccination in preterm infants are described further.

Keywords: very-low-birth weight newborn, enteral nutrition, malabsorption, osteopathy of prematurity, developmental care centre.