Premature Birth impacts hearts, into adulthood
Medical science has advanced to the point where we can save premature babies at only 32 weeks of gestation or less. Normally medical science considers 37-40 weeks of gestation to be a “normal” preganacy. At less than the 37 week mark the pregancy is considered premature. Did you know that the current rate of premi’s in the US is 1 in 10 births ? And it’s higher is those without good prenatal care and in lower socioeconomic groups.
However its not surprising that the lack of time to develope has a lifelong impact on the premi’s organs. This was specifically seen in the heart as reported in a new study published in JAMA entitled, “Association Between Preterm Birth and Arrested Cardiac Growth in Adolescents and Young Adults”
We see a host of complications with premi’s including breathing problems, feeding difficulties, disorders such as cerebral palsy, developmental delays along with both vision and hearing losses.
WHY:
What’s the underlying factors for premature births. Let’s start by stating that often times we don’t know. There are contributing factors to consider such as:
Smoking: Being significantly overweight or underweight, before a pregnancy:
Not getting adaquate prenatal care: Drinking alcohol or using street drugs during pregnancy:
Having health conditions, such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, diabetes, blood clotting disorders, or infections:
Being pregnant with a baby that has certain birth defects: A pregnancy from in vitro fertilization:
Being pregnant with twins or other multiples: A family or personal history of premature labor:
Getting pregnant too soon after having a baby
With all of this in mind keep perspective that you can address many of the risk factors, let’s consider some options. And don’t forget to tell your health care provider if you or your family member was born prematurely.
Take Aways:
Pay more attention to good heart theraputics which should include:
- Never smoke
- Have an adequate vitamin K2 intake
- Avoid any heart damaging drug therapies, See this list: CLINICAL UPDATES ON DRUG – INDUCED CARDIOTOXICITY
- Eat a diet low in saturated fats, preferably oriented towards a whole foods plant based approach (see Dean Ornish’s work),
- Exercise with a focus on aerobic conditioning,
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