Question
Pediatrics Do preemies develop like full-term babies?
Answer
Newborns have very low vision at birth, but they do respond to light. Retinopathy of Prematurity is a disease caused by abnormal proliferation of newborn retinal blood vessels, often occurring in premature infants, low birth weight infants, and those with a history of oxygen therapy. It is one of the main causes of childhood blindness. The shorter the gestational age of preemies and the lower their birth weight, the higher the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity. The normal head circumference for newborns is about 34 cm, and the anterior fontanelle typically closes between 12-18 months after birth, while the posterior fontanelle closes between 2-4 months after birth. It is recommended to observe the closure of fontanels and the size of the head circumference to determine whether a baby’s brain development is normal. For preemies, especially those with low birth weight, an eye examination should be conducted, including dilation and fundus examination, to detect and treat retinopathy of prematurity early and avoid severe complications. It is advised to monitor for a period and seek medical examination promptly if necessary.