respiratory system
Premature infants are prone to respiratory distress syndrome, shortness of breath and even inability to breathe because of immature lung development, insufficient surface tension at birth and incomplete lung expansion. It is also possible that the central nervous system of the brain is not fully developed, leading to apnea.
Because of the above breathing problems, it is sometimes necessary to use a respirator. Long-term use of respirator and oxygen will cause lung injury and lead to chronic lung disease in premature infants. Even if the baby comes home from the hospital, it is still prone to excessive phlegm, repeated wheezing, wheezing, or hypoxia and repeated respiratory infections. As long as he catches a cold, parents will enter a state of preparation. They should always pat and draw sputum and pay attention to the baby's breathing at any time.
cardiovascular system
The most common is patent ductus arteriosus. At present, the drug therapy to help close the catheter has a good effect. If the drug is ineffective and the condition is not good, a cardiac catheter should be done and follow-up examination should be done.
Gastrointestinal system
Premature infants have immature intestinal development and poor digestion and absorption function, and are more prone to gastroesophageal reflux than ordinary infants. Immature intestinal mucosa and poor gastrointestinal peristalsis are prone to life-threatening situations such as necrotizing enteritis, intestinal perforation or septicemia.
Intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia
Premature infants with fragile periventricular blood vessels are prone to intraventricular hemorrhage, brain hypoxia and periventricular leukomalacia. If the injury is serious, there may be developmental retardation or cerebral palsy in the follow-up.
retinopathy
The retinal vessels of premature infants are immature, prone to distortion, abnormal angiogenesis and even retinal detachment. Retinopathy of premature infants will easily lead to glaucoma, strabismus, high myopia and amblyopia in the future. Therefore, it is necessary to have regular visual inspection and follow-up.
There is no record of the word "premature baby" in ancient Chinese medicine books, but it belongs to the category of "weak fetus" and "fetal fear" in Chinese medicine, which means that the fetus is born with low weight and weak constitution. There is a detailed record of fetal timidity in ancient books. The Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Medicine says: "After birth, the color is not bright, the muscles are emaciated, the stool is white, the body is bloodless, the breathing is always choking, and the eyes are not wonderful. The description here is similar to that of premature babies at birth.
The first substance of life is essence, and the fetus is composed of the essence of parents. Parents are strong, have sufficient kidney essence, and have healthy embryos. The cause of fetal timidity is related to parents' lack of essence or loss of care during pregnancy. If parents are weak, overworked, addicted to alcohol, have excessive sexual intercourse, and have emotional imbalance, they may make the embryo lack Yuanyang and be prone to premature birth.
Premature babies are prone to deficiency of five internal organs and various problems. "Liver" is related to the formation of eyes, nails, tendons and ligaments, while deficiency of liver qi leads to vision problems, brittle nails and limb cramps. "Heart" is related to our cardiovascular system and thinking. If you have a guilty conscience, you will be prone to purple and black, unconsciousness and cold limbs. Spleen is related to sucking and drinking milk, digestion and absorption, and muscle formation. Spleen deficiency leads to reluctance to suck milk, muscle weakness and low weight; "lung" is related to breathing, crying, skin formation and immunity; Lung deficiency leads to shortness of breath, thin crying, thin and loose skin, and repeated respiratory tract or skin infections.
"Kidney" is related to the formation of brain and central nervous system, bones, teeth and hair. Deficiency of kidney qi can easily lead to brain edema, skull anatomy, fracture, slow tooth growth and sparse hair.
The treatment will be based on the deficiency of different viscera of premature infants, and the deficiency of spleen and kidney is the most common in clinic, so the treatment will focus on the regulation of kidney and spleen. "Kidney" is the fundamental source of life and the innate foundation. Premature babies are born before their physical development is mature. The treatment methods are tonifying kidney and essence, warming and nourishing Yuanyang, and commonly used Radix Rehmanniae Preparata, Fructus Lycii and Rhizoma Dioscoreae. "Spleen" is an important organ for transporting human nutrients and Shui Gu, and it is the foundation of the day after tomorrow. The poor digestion and absorption ability of premature infants makes the energy source needed for the day after tomorrow insufficient. Astragalus, ginseng, atractylodes macrocephala, poria cocos, dried ginger, etc. should be used to strengthen the spleen and tonify the middle energizer. Parents should pay attention not to listen to folk remedies, such as Hong Haier water and Babao powder, which are harmful and useless. Some parents will buy American ginseng powder and pilose antler powder for their babies. Some Chinese medicines, especially ginseng, aconite, placenta hominis and pilose antler, need accurate use time and dosage. Excessive or long-term use may have side effects, but it will encourage the signs.
What questions can I ask Chinese medicine for help? The treatment of premature infants after birth often needs assistance from many parties. What questions can I ask for the help of Chinese medicine?
Gastrointestinal problems, indigestion, thin figure.
Gastrointestinal digestion and absorption are poor, and height and weight are naturally difficult to rise. These problems are often related to the viscera, spleen and kidney of traditional Chinese medicine. In addition to warming spleen and kidney, the treatment can also be combined with traditional Chinese medicine for stimulating appetite, promoting digestion, promoting qi circulation and regulating stomach, promoting appetite and increasing gastrointestinal peristalsis. At present, many studies show that traditional Chinese medicine is helpful to improve functional dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux.
Recurrent respiratory tract infection
Especially for some premature infants with chronic lung diseases, repeated colds are a very common problem. As long as you catch a cold, you are prone to asthma or excessive phlegm. It is easy to catch a cold, which is related to insufficient lung qi. Lung is the first line of defense of human body, and lung qi deficiency is the lack of external immunity. Phlegm is related to deficiency of both lung and spleen. The lung is the storage of phlegm, and the spleen is the source of phlegm. Lung-qi deficiency makes phlegm easy to exist in the lungs and difficult to discharge. Deficiency of spleen-qi and poor phlegm metabolism. For this kind of baby, it is very important to strengthen the body resistance and strengthen the lung and temper.
Brain hypoxia injury, complicated with cerebral palsy.
Research shows that rehabilitation plus acupuncture is more helpful to the all-round development and limb muscle tension of children with cerebral palsy than simple rehabilitation. If premature infants are complicated with cerebral palsy, they can be treated with acupuncture as soon as possible. Baby's acupuncture will use shallow needling, rapid needle insertion, rapid needle removal and no needle retention. Scalp acupuncture will start after the baby's fontanel is completely closed. The earlier the treatment, the greater the help to the baby.
Mom and dad must watch it! Rubbing hands and back with traditional Chinese medicine solution for premature infants' body conditioning helps premature infants grow up healthily * * * The following methods mainly focus on strengthening spleen and tonifying kidney, and parents can help their babies do it every day. * * * can not only tonify qi and blood, dredge meridians, but also enhance parent-child relationship, which is a good health care method.
Tonifying spleen meridian: invigorating spleen and benefiting qi
Spleen meridian: radial thumb, red and white meat.
Operation method: Push the thumb from the distal end to the proximal end 100 times.
Knead four things: activating qi, appetizing and relieving bloating.
Four: the second to fourth fingers of the palm, near the transverse stripes of the interphalangeal joints of the palm.
Operation method: press and rub the second to fourth fingers with your thumb for about 100 times.
Kneading Shenshu: Tonifying kidney qi
Shenshu: The spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra is 65,438+0.5 inches lower (the fourth lumbar vertebra is where the iliac crest extends to the middle vertebra, and the two sections are the second lumbar vertebra). (1.5 inch: the distance from the medial edge of the scapula to half of the spine)
Operation method: Gently press Shenshu point with both thumbs for 50 ~ 100 times.
Chiropractic: regulate yin and yang, regulate qi and blood, dredge meridians and nourish vitality.
Operation method: Use thumb, forefinger and middle finger of both hands to gently pinch the skin along both sides of the spine from bottom to top for 5 ~ 10 times in a row.
Le Wan Yu
Education: Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Experience: resident and chief physician of Chinese medicine in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, training of western medicine and pediatrics in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou, attending physician of Chinese medicine and pediatrics in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.
He is currently the attending physician of pediatrics of traditional Chinese medicine in the Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, and the executive director of Taiwan Province Children and Adolescents Medical Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine.