In the hospital, tube-fed babies can gag on the tube itself. But in babies like Cali, who have gagging and vomiting episodes at home, immature reflexes are the culprit. Similarly, Teresa 's bout with reflux was caused by an underdeveloped digestive system. In reflux, the problem lies with a structure called the angle, which is located at the junction between the esophagus and the stomach. In small babies the angle is not fully developed, leading to frequent reflux.
Preemies have too few red blood cells.
In the first few weeks of life, infants don't make many of the cells, and the lifespan of the ones they do make is shorter than in an adult. Since their blood is often taken for tests, preemies become particularly prone to anemia. Even after she arrived home, Alexa struggled with episodes of apnea, which is even more prevalent in preemies than anemia. Nearly all babies born at 30 weeks gestation or earlier suffer from apnea of prematurity. Babies are sometimes given medication, such as caffeine, to regulate their breathing.