An early birth is almost always likely to affect a
preemie in most areas namely sleep patterns, feeding
schedules, activity levels for at least the first
year of life. There will also be delays in the later
developmental milestones such as walking and talking.
Delays are overcome within the first 2-3 years for
most, but for some preemies they will have to face
longer-lasting problems, sometimes for life.
The starting point for a child born early is different
from term babies. For example for a preterm baby born
8 weeks early, at 12 months the developmental abilities
will match that of a 10 month old term baby. Because
your baby was born with immature nervous and muscular
systems, more time will be taken to reach milestones.
It is important to allow your child to develop
at his own time and in his own way.
| When
considering the development progress of
your child, correct or adjust the age
for weeks or months born prematurely.
This 'corrected age' should be used to
evaluate your child's progress until your
child is 2-3 years of age. |
|
Key Facts
• When it comes to monitoring progress of a
premature baby two dates are important, the day on
which the baby was born and the day on which baby
was due to be born. Catching up with term babies is
not going to be an overnight thing but will take time,
about 3 years before most infants born prematurely
will have caught up with their counterparts.
• Preemies born earlier or had severe birth
complications and had to consequently deal with extensive
medical interventions are more likely to face extended
delays and such delays can go unrecognized. For instance
some cognitive delays will only surface when the child
is exposed to a more complicated learning process
in school.
• During the first 2-3 years of life developmental
checks are conducted every 4-6 months, but closer
monitoring will be required for preterm children with
more severe problems.
• Occupational, speech and or physical therapy
may be necessary upon assessment which the developmental
experts may recommend. Special exercises and play
activities will be arranged which will need to be
followed up at home too. Early intervention will help
optimize your child's growth through the proper use
of muscles and learning experiences.
• Developmental tests: These tests function
to help healthcare experts determine if the preterm
child is developing at the same speed and order as
'normal' children. These tests are not designed to
forecast how smart your child will be eventually and
neither will it provide explanation on why your child
develops in a certain manner. The test(s) used will
be based on what your child is being evaluated for.
Check and do not hesitate to ask the therapist on
what is 'normal' development and how your child is
affected and/or any other concerns you may have.
• After a preterm kid reaches the age of 4 and
up, there won't be much difference between a child
who is 4 and one who is 2 months shy of four. The
behavior gap between the corrected age and the birth
age will diminish and disappear along with any differences
between the preemie child and his counterparts.
| Although
children develop at different paces, the
sequence of development is the same e.g.
first learning the roll, then sitting
followed by crawling and then walking. |
|
Gross and Fine Motor Development
of Preemie in Brief
• While a term baby spends the last few months
in a very cushioned environment (the womb), a premature
infant spends weeks or months outside the womb in
a very loose, uncontrolled environment. Pushing against
the fluid and the uterus helps develop proper muscle
tone, with this opportunity being absent in the case
of a preterm baby. Despite efforts taken to create
a natural fetal environment (e.g. swaddling) the womb
cannot be totally duplicated. Fortunately the NICU
environment can influence the development of your
child's muscle strength and tone to some extent.
• A preterm baby's brain did not have sufficient
time to learn the ways to process movement responses.
Therefore when born the preemie's brain is less equipped
to handle external stimuli. Experts believe that early
or late exposure alters brain development.
• With weak shoulder muscles it becomes difficult
for a preterm baby to push on the elbows and lift
his head. Due to a larger head, a preterm baby doesn't
like to play on his stomach much. Baby may also stiffen
his legs or arms because of weak muscle tone in the
neck and body areas. Daunting no doubt but a developmental
specialist can teach the main caretaker the simple
techniques which can help improve atypical muscle
strength and tone. Regular evaluation is important.
Cognitive Development of
Preemie in Brief
• A baby's early learning comes largely from
his environment – through touch, sight, hearing, taste
and smell. In early years the brain does a remarkable
job of using information acquired through repetition
to reorganize brain connections and even rebuild damaged
connections. Preemies with delayed learning skills,
impaired visual perception or weak eye-hand coordination
are in need of more repetitive play.
• Although most preemies catch up with their
peers in 2-3 years time with regards to intellectual
abilities, preterm babies with long term medical problems,
or sensory difficulties/disabilities may continue
to have thinking difficulties with varying degrees
throughout their lives.
Communication Development
of Preemie in Brief
• While term infants communicate with their
first cry, and go on to create a myriad of vocalizations
such as cooing, squealing and later babbling to first
words at around 1 years old (mama, dada), preterm
infants take a longer time to reach these communication
milestones.
• Some common communication delays associated
with prematurity include delayed sound production,
delayed use of words, stuttering, problem with comprehending
instructions and or questions, and voice quality issues
(e.g. high pitched voice, whisper etc).
•
Delays in communication can affect your child's social
and academic future. Medical problems such as respiratory,
feeding disorders, hearing loss, and extended hospitalization
often interfere and hinder early speech and language
skills.
Social
Development of Preemie in Brief
• Social development involves the communication
of needs, response to others and temperament control,
all important aspects for future social behavior.
Findings suggest many preemies are sensitive with
intense personalities, tend to be strong-willed and
overreact to situations. An upset preemie may have
a hard time calming down; this behavior pattern lasts
into early childhood.
• Sometimes sensory difficulties can contribute
to a child's active behavior. A therapist familiar
with sensory integration can effectively provide treatment
if necessary.
• Experts feel that the hyper preterm kid can
grow up to be a calm collected individual if guided
correctly. Parent's reaction to their hyperactive
child will influence the social development.
| Remember: Early diagnosis will lead to early intervention,
and this will make a huge impact in the
long term development of your preterm
baby. |
|
