If your baby was born early, you may already have heard the term "corrected age" from your paediatrician -- and you may be wondering how it affects the way you should think about your baby's development as they grow.
What Corrected Age Means
Corrected age (sometimes called adjusted age) compares a premature baby's development to how far along they'd be counting from their original due date, rather than their actual birth date. This is a more useful comparison for the first couple of years, since it accounts for the weeks or months of development they would otherwise have had in the womb.
Why Follow-Up Often Looks a Bit Different
Many babies born early are offered more frequent developmental check-ins than babies born at full term, simply because starting a bit behind on corrected-age milestones is common and most babies catch up over time -- but keeping an eye on progress makes it easier to notice early if extra support would help.
What a Developmental Evaluation Involves
Dr. Charu Arora notes that developmental evaluations for premature babies typically look at motor skills, feeding, communication and overall responsiveness, and that comparing progress against corrected age -- not just birth date -- is an important part of interpreting the results accurately.
If You're Unsure Whether to Get a Check Done
If your premature baby seems to be falling behind even on a corrected-age basis, or your paediatrician has suggested a developmental review, Call 9990555423 or 8796958310, or message us on WhatsApp, to arrange a consultation.