Growth Chart Q & Short Intro

pinksparklezoxo

Hi Everyone,

I didn't realize the bump had a preemie board.  My guy was born at 36 weeks on 2/23/11.  Luckily, we have had few problems, and though he was treated by the neonatology department at our hospital, he was not put into the NICU as he was a pretty big baby for being early (6lbs, 6oz).  I consider myself very lucky.

I have a question about the growth chart.  Now that I understand that preemie babies are tracked by their adjusted age, is there a growth chart for preemie babies, also, or do they have the same chart as full term babies?

Thanks.

witt0198

There are separate growth charts for LBW (low birth weight), and VLBW (very low birth weight) infants, and I think possibly one for extrememly low. I know Evan was on a different growth chart for the first few months of life, one that included 24-40 weeks gestation, but after he was discharged the regular charts were used, he just wasn't on them especially for weight until this past year. Doctors usually talk about "catch up growth", and like to see preemie's on the regular charts for their actual age by the age of 2yrs old. I think that's pretty reasonable to expect in your case with a 36 weeker, 4months is harder to "catch up" IMO. So for a long time, we would see where he was on the chart for his actual age, and then adjust back 4 months and for the most part, I tracked the adjusted age.

 Does that help? OH, and Congratulations and welcome BTW!

pinksparklezoxo

TY that was very helpful.  You're right, 4 months is much harder to catch up than 4 weeks!  I'm glad your son is well.