Question
A two-month-old male infant, currently only 34 days old, has been found to have underdeveloped brain development during examination. The parents are concerned whether the baby’s brain development can catch up to normal at the time of expected birth?
Answer
Premature infants, due to their smaller brain size at birth, may have relatively lower IQs. However, the first two years after birth are a period when premature infants’ brain development is most rapid, plasticity is strongest, and compensatory ability is at its peak. It is recommended to conduct intelligence tests, motor development assessments, muscle tone assessments, EEGs, visual and auditory checks, and cardiac color Doppler ultrasound to comprehensively understand the child’s developmental status. At the same time, attention should be paid to enhancing nutritional intake and daily care to promote healthy growth.