Special considerations in the premature and ex-premature infant

Around 3% of newborns have a major congenital physical anomaly with 60% of congenital anomalies affecting the brain or heart and around 1% having multiple anomalies. Individual congenital conditions requiring surgical intervention in the neonatal period are rare. Gastroschisis is one of the most common abnormalities and has an incidence of around 1 in 2500 live births. Outside of the neonatal period, the most common surgical procedures performed in ex-premature infants are inguinal hernia repair and ophthalmologic procedures for underlying retinopathy of prematurity. After even minor surgical procedures, ex-premature infants are at higher risk for postoperative complications than infants born at term.