Author: Christine M. Wallin
Source: Zero to Three, Volume 24(2), November 2003, pages 26-30
This article looks at some of the current research regarding premature infants who were identified by the medical profession as ?low risk? ? since they were born to educated middle-income parents fairly late in pregnancy and without significant medical issues. These infants are typically discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit without specific recommendations or mechanisms in place for developmental tracking. The latest research is revealing that even these infants deemed ?low risk? show poorer developmental outcomes than babies born at full-term. In fact, there is a significantly higher incidence of mild developmental delays and learning issues among these ?low risk? infants when compared to the general population. Left without identification and/or early intervention, these problems can lead to difficulties with school performance and social interactions for these ?low risk? children. This discovery is being considered the ?new morbidity? of prematurity, and according to this author, supports the use of a system of developmental monitoring and early intervention eligibility for all premature infants ? even those with low biological and environmental risk factors. This would detect and address motor, language, or cognitive delays as early as possible, while providing appropriate parent education and support.
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