An infant is being discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit after 70 days of hospitalization.The infant was born at 30 weeks of gestation with several conditions associated with prematurity,including respiratory distress syndrome,mild bronchopulmonary dysplasia,and retinopathy of prematurity requiring surgical treatment.During discharge teaching the infant's mother asks the nurse if her baby will meet developmental milestones on time,as did her son who was born at term.Which is the basis for the nurse's most appropriate response?
A) Preterm babies develop at the same rate as term babies.
B) Preterm babies are not discharged if there are suspicions that there will be developmental delays.
C) Preterm babies need age-corrected ages for developmental assessments.
D) Preterm babies need to be followed very closely.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The age of a preterm newborn is corrected by adding the gestational age and the postnatal age.The infant's responses are evaluated accordingly against the norm expected for the corrected age of the infant.Although it is impossible to predict with complete accuracy the growth and development potential of each preterm infant,certain measurable factors predict normal growth and development.The preterm infant experiences catch-up body growth during the first 2 to 3 years of life.The growth and developmental milestones are corrected for gestational age until the child is approximately 2.5 years old.Stating that the baby doesn't appear to have any problems at the present time is inaccurate.Development will need to be evaluated over time.

An Infant Is Being Discharged from the Neonatal Intensive Care