Task 9

Question 1

What is low birth weight

Answer 1

LBW Less than 2500g
VLBW Less than 1500g
ELBW Less than 1000g

Question 2

What are the 3 categories of prematurity?

Answer 2

Preterm AGA
Preterm SGA
VLBW/ELBW

Question 3

List some of the causes for prematurity

Answer 3

Multifactorial
Individual risk factors: mother’s age (below 20, above 35),
previous pregnancy,
smoking,
weight gain during pregnancy,
environmental factors (e.g. income & education).

Question 4

How does prematurity affect development?

Answer 4

• Almost 90% are free from serious disabilities during childhood but have cognitive & academic difficulties in school compared to NBW
• Health problems: e.g. cerebral palsy, asthma, and visual/hearing impairments
• Visual modalities (auditory & Visual system affected after birth e.g. discrimination of novel stimuli at 12 months instead of 6 months) but later develop appropriately if the right intervention is provided
• Behaviour problems. E.g. hyperactivity, attendion deficits, shyness, withdrawal and internalizing symptoms.

Question 5

How does prematurity affect the physical development of children?

Answer 5

• Health problems: e.g. cerebral palsy, asthma, and visual/hearing impairments
• Visual modalities (auditory & Visual system affected after birth e.g. discrimination of novel stimuli at 12 months instead of 6 months) but later develop appropriately if the right intervention is provided

Question 6

How does VLBW/ELBW affect later development?

Answer 6

• Poorer academic achievements compared to NBW
• Fewer proceed to higher education, most are in employment
• No differences in health status, except for poorer physical activities, higher BP, and poorer respiratory functions
• No evidence for major psychopathological disorders, but anxiety and depression are reported more often
• Social life and quality of life is fairly normal
• Differences noted in the above are for those who have neurosensory disabilities

Question 7

What is childhood disintegrative disorder and how does it differ from ASD?

Answer 7

• Severe developmental regression between 3rd and 4th year of life
• It appears similar to ASD but ASD’s regression occurs much earlier.
• It is most prevalent in males than females
• Causes not clear
• Treatment: multidisciplinary approach
• Development after regression is less satisfactory than in ASD