Development of Preterm Babies

Each year about 12 percent of American newborns arrive preterm, which puts them at increased risk for developmental delays and complications, even death, the March of Dimes notes. Modern health advances help many grow into healthy children, but those born the earliest and with the most problems often do poorly or do not survive.

What Is Prematurity?

• When a baby is born at or before the 37th week of pregnancy, he is considered premature, while full-term pregnancies last around 40 weeks, the March of Dimes points out. "Preemies" are born early for reasons ranging from a serious illness in the mother, to her perilous choices, such as smoking or using drugs. Sometimes, doctors don't know why a baby arrives early, KidsHealth notes. Health and development often depends on how early the baby is born. Doctors use this gestational age, rather than true age, to help determine if she is making good developmental progress, according to the Department of Pediatrics at the Emory University School of Medicine.

Hospital Stay

• Without major complications, most premature babies catch up with other children by about age 2

  If your baby is born prematurely, she will likely go to a neonatal intensive care unit. These units provide specialized care, because preemies need extra warmth, nutrition and medical attention, along with having stress reduced, Kids Health says. Medical progress has allowed most babies born weighing around 2 pounds--or at least 800 grams--to live, the organization says, but those weighing closer to 1 pound only have a 40 percent to 50 percent survival rate, and a higher chance of problems. The March of Dimes points out that premature babies can have problems with their brains, breathing or digestion from the start because their organs are not fully developed.

Infancy

• Once your preemie comes home from the hospital, he will need more care than a full-term infant, and his development will need monitoring. You can expect the baby to take longer to reach milestones than those born on time, but generally in the same order. Babies born before 26 weeks gestation or under 800 grams are most at risk for serious disabilities and delays, doctors at WebMD note. Doctors will watch the baby's nervous system, vision, hearing and muscle development closely to see if he is hitting milestones, such as the first smile, sitting alone and taking steps, KidsHealth says.

Toddler Years

• Many children born preterm have no further problems by school age

  Once he reaches about 2 years old, your child's delays in motor skills and other development should begin to improve as she makes up for the lag and begins acting like other children her age, WebMD doctors say. As she grows, the delay of two to four months commonly shown by preemies should disappear, depending on the health of the child and complications at birth, the doctors continue. Your child also may quickly catch up in growth during this period, Emory University medical experts say.

School Age

• When your former preemie is ready for school, watch for learning problems that may not show up earlier, WebMD's doctors caution. However, differences in intelligence, if found, are not usually significant, they say. Speech and physical therapy may benefit those who still have delays, KidsHealth says.

Long-term Outlook

• Children who have caught up with their peers in development and are well cared for and given proper nutrition likely will reach the same adult size as if they had not been born preterm, Emory University medical experts note. If your child has no ongoing health issues related to his prematurity, he should grow up normally, although some whose growth was retarded before birth may not reach full growth potential, they say.