Preterm Baby Growth
Infants born before week 37 of pregnancy are preterm, or premature. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), approximately 10 percent of pregnancies end up in premature birth. Since premature infants have a higher chance of developing medical and developmental problems, it is important for your baby's health that you understand basic facts about preterm baby growth.
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Assessing Baby's Growth
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During the first few years of her life, base your preterm baby's growth on her corrected age, which is determined by subtracting the number of weeks that she was born early from her actual chronological age. For instance, if your little one was 2 months early, then at 6 months of age, his corrected age would be 4 months.
Growth Patterns
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According to Dr. Raye-Ann deRegnier, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Minnesota, 85 percent of preterm babies experience increased spurts of growth (called catch-up growth) that allows them to get closer in size to full-term babies of the same age by the time they are 2 years old.
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Nutrition and Growth
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Due to an immature digestive system, your premature baby has special nutritional needs that are best met by breast milk, which provides important protection against dangerous infections, as well as higher developmental scores, according to the AAFP.
Growth Chart
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Keeping a chart provides you with an invaluable written record to assess your preterm baby's growth rate and developmental milestones, which you can share with his doctor during health checkups.
Considerations
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In addition to keeping track of your preterm baby's growth, you should also pay careful attention to the development of her nervous system, speech and behavior, all potential areas that may require therapy as your little one matures.
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