The Appearance of Premature Babies
When compared to full-term babies, premature infants have distinct characteristics that may surprise or concern new parents. While babies born at 36 or 37 weeks may look similar to full-term babies, those born extremely prematurely appear fragile. Unlike term babies, preterm infants lack the layer of fat underneath their skin that helps retain moisture, regulate body temperature, and provide protection against infections. As a result, their sensitive skin appears either shiny and translucent or dry and scaly. Additionally, most premature babies have lanugo, a fine, white hair that covers their entire body, but they may have minimal or no hair on their heads.
Age Calculation and Development
When it comes to premature infants, determining their growth and developmental progress requires a different approach than relying on their chronological age. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control recommend using the corrected age of preemies. This corrected age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks or months the child was born early from their chronological age. For instance, if a child is nine months old but was born two months prematurely, their corrected age would be seven months. By using the corrected age, pediatricians are able to more accurately monitor the baby’s development and track their progress.