Fortunately, RDS is treatable and many infants do quite well. Then, immediately after birth and several times later, artificial surfactant can be given to the infant. Although most premature babies who lack surfactant will require a breathing machine, or ventilator, for a while, the use of artificial surfactant has greatly decreased the amount of time that infants spend on the ventilator. Preemies are often treated with medication and oxygen for this condition. Infection Infection is a big threat to premature infants because they are less able than full-term infants to fight germs that can cause serious illness.
Infections can come from the mother before birth, during the process of birth, or after birth.
Practically any body part can become infected. Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. Other medications are prescribed to treat viral and fungal infections. The ductus arteriosus is a short blood vessel that connects the main blood vessel supplying the lungs to the aorta, the main blood vessel that leaves the heart. Its function in the unborn baby is to allow blood to bypass the lungs, because oxygen for the blood comes from the mother and not from breathing air.