Preterm infants, those born before 37 weeks' gestation, may have to do some catching up when it comes to matching the growth and development of their full-term peers. However, ongoing followup with pediatricians and other specialists, as well as support through physical therapy or other specialized services as necessary, can greatly increase your preterm infant's odds of reaching a normal developmental age within a few years.
Gestational, Chronological and Adjusted Age
Doctors estimate gestational age, your infant's time in the womb, from the first day of the mother's last menstrual period. Your baby's chronological age starts at her birth. Because premature birth interrupts an infant's gestational growth, doctors may adjust expectations for a preemie's development to match her expected due date. Thus, if your baby was born four weeks early, even if her chronological age is 11 months, your doctor might expect her weight, height and development to fall closer to that of a 7-month-old.
Significance
Infants born prematurely may have immature internal organs that cannot perform normal digestive, respiratory or other bodily functions. The extent of prematurity often affects the level of development. For instance, babies born before 32 to 34 weeks' gestation typically lack the suck reflex necessary for oral feeding. These infants usually require tube feeding until they develop the ability to suck and swallow, according to the KidsHealth website. Essentially, after birth, a preterm infant must finish the growth and development a full-term baby typically experiences in the womb.
Developmental Milestones
Motor skills, such as rolling over or sitting up, hand-eye coordination, language and speech development can also lag in preterm infants. Physicians use general guidelines called developmental milestones to gauge whether an infant is developing at an expected pace. Most full-term 3-month-olds, for example, begin to babble and imitate sounds, can grab and shake a rattle and support the upper body with their hands while lying on their stomach. A premature infant of the same chronological age may keep his hands tightly fisted and still have jerky arm movements, closer to normal development for a 1-month-old, which doctors might consider appropriate for his adjusted age.
Considerations
A preterm infant's development usually catches up to full-term babies within two to three years, according to the March of Dimes. After that, individual differences rather than prematurity likely account for your baby's size, motor skills and cognitive abilities. Very premature infants, however, may take longer to overcome developmental delays. Some preemies also have problems with heart disorders, structural abnormalities and other issues that may require extensive treatment, including long hospital stays, which can permanently alter growth and development.
Expert Insight
Preterm infants might benefit from early intervention programs or followup with high-risk newborn clinics, according to KidsHealth. If you remain concerned about your baby's development after taking into account her adjusted age, contact your physician for referrals to therapy programs designed to aid in preterm infant development.
