Patient's question:
The baby was born prematurely at 37 weeks. When it was born, it weighed a little over 5 pounds. It was sent to the intensive care unit immediately, and after staying there for a week, we were able to take it home because there were no issues, and we were told to monitor it at home.What kind of help do you need: Does a premature baby develop the same way as a normal baby?
Doctor's answer:
The vision of newborns is very low, but they do react to light. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) refers to a group of diseases caused by abnormal proliferation of retinal blood vessels in newborns. This condition is more common in premature infants, low birth weight infants, and newborns with a history of oxygen therapy, and it is one of the leading causes of childhood blindness. The shorter the gestational age of a premature infant and the lower the birth weight, the higher the incidence of retinopathy. The normal head circumference of newborns is around 34 cm. The anterior fontanelle typically closes between 12 to 18 months after birth, while the posterior fontanelle usually closes between 2 to 4 months after birth. It is recommended to observe fontanelle closure and head circumference size to assess whether a child's brain development is normal. For premature infants, especially those with low birth weight, eye examinations should be conducted, particularly dilated fundus examinations, to detect retinopathy early and initiate timely treatment to prevent severe complications. It is advised to monitor the situation for a period and seek medical attention if necessary.