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Post by ladybug on Jan 9, 2015 20:09:20 GMT
Just wondering if anyone has adopted a littley that was born upto 3 months prematurely and what sort of issues you encountered due to the LO being premature?
I've thought about that fact that LO would be delayed because they are actually not as mature as their age and not as developed although I know this is taken into account in their red book. And thinking about it there could be potential issues with respiratory infections ie: being prone to pick up chest infections and the like due to lungs being underdeveloped at birth which I suppose could mean they may have asthma?
I've also read that premature birth can cause ADHD.
Just want ant to make sure I have thought about everything so as we know worse case scenario.
thanks
x x x Ladybug x x x
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gertie1
New Member
Married Adopter
Posts: 19 
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Post by gertie1 on Jan 9, 2015 20:30:08 GMT
Upto 12 weeks early then possible sight issues or issues with the eyes.
There's then why were they premature - drugs/alcohol exposure / domestic violence / physical bodily harm to birth mum whilst in utero
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Post by mrmlegal on Jan 10, 2015 10:06:15 GMT
Both of my two were 2 months premature and will have suffered from alcohol and physical abuse in utero. One does, indeed, have lung problems - in hospital a couple of times with pneumonia - and also has asthma but totally controlled. She was 5 months behind her chronological age at 12 months but, within 6 months, had caught up. She ended up with a 2.1 degree in English Literature but is still incredibly disorganised. Her sister had no lung health problems but was a terror in her teens and did not take advantage of Education. She is the more together of them now in adulthood. I have no reason to regret adopting because of prematurity.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2015 11:15:03 GMT
I've got a friend with adopted children all born prematurely.
Two of them, eldest and youngest, were born 4 and 6 weeks early and middle child was born at 23weeks! All 3 have Autism and ADHD, two of them have mild cerebal palsy, which isn't at all apparent on meeting them (ironically the two that were born later), none of them have any respiratory problems and all 3 are very healthy.
Elder two are doing very well at school considering all their needs. Youngest is struggling bigtime at school. They are the loveliest children and are delightful, but they are hard work and demanding due to their extra needs.
The very premature one went to mainstream school up until recently and did well academically, but was horrendously bullied for being a bit different. She is now at a specialist Autism school and absolutely loves it, has made friends for the first time and she is thriving as she is happy there.
I think prematurity does affect the brains of developing babies and they are bound to have some additional needs, but then so do a lot of our children who were full term. There are no guarantees, you just have to factor in what else goes into the mix with BM during her pregnancy. The likelyhood of drugs?, alcohol? stress? Or whatever?
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Post by ladybug on Jan 12, 2015 19:42:58 GMT
Have questions to ask SW re LO on Wednesday, obviously the medical side of things will be very limited in what she will know but can save the real biggies for MA as and when we get that far!
I know there could be lots of issues some of which could be to do with his background and if there was DV, drug, alcohol etc...whilst in utero.
Talking to my dad over the weekend and it somehow came up about my cousin being born 12 weeks early 49 years ago and there is absolutely nothing wrong with him and medicine and the care of preemies has advanced so much since then so there is a chance that there will be no further medical issues but as long as we are aware of worst case scenario and are able to cope with it then we hopefully will be fine.
Thank you everyone so far that has had some input!
X x
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Post by lovelybee on Jan 12, 2015 20:39:00 GMT
Hopefully medical advisor will be able to advise you on likely outcomes/worst case scenarios when you get to that stage. It is worth asking directly about what they feel is the worst case scenario for the child. There is however huge variation in outcomes and so many factors come into play. LO is so young it will be impossible to predict at this stage.
Another thing to think about is premature babies miss out on early bonding with a primary care giver and are exposed to multiple carers and often minimal touch which can impact on attachment even if single foster carer till placed with adoptive families. They are also often exposed to painful procedures which can affect their cortisol response too.
A few questions to ask medical advisor in terms of the prematurity:
How many weeks gestation at birth (or was this unsure as unbooked/late booker)
Did the baby require respiratory support? If so ventilation or Cpap or oxygen. Do they have Chronic lung disease - give indication of susceptibility to chest problems
Did they require resuscitation at birth?
Did they have any brain haemorrhages and if so what grade and likely impact if present (Prem babies routinely have brain ultrasounds if born 12 weeks early and they are more susceptible to brain haemorrhages)
Were they growth restricted when born (maybe referred to as intrauterine growth restriction or IUGR) Is head circumference in proportion to weight/length
Reason for prematurity if known ( drugs, alcohol, abuse, pre eclampsia, not growing etc)
Did they pass hearing test
Results of ophthalmology reviews - babies born 12 weeks early routinely screened for retinopathy of prematurity
Feeding and growth. Have they got reflux (common in premmies) Is treatment helping?
Any concerns about increased or decreased tone which could indicate cerebral palsy
Maternal screening blood test results (HIV, Hep B etc)
Sorry if you have thought about all these already. Hope all goes smoothly and all the answers to your questions are reassuring.
LB x
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Post by daffin on Jan 12, 2015 21:02:28 GMT
Mouse (now 18 months) was born at 31 weeks. She had Bronchiolitis at 6 months and was diagnosed with asthma at under a year. It is well controlled by medication and she is thriving. She is still pretty tiny but is meeting all her milestones and is a delight. Who knows, she might have ADHD later, but there is no evidence now.
I wouldn't necessarily let prematurity put you off, but before 28 weeks gets trickier. More likely for the baby to have experienced bleeds on the brain and to have hearing and sight impairments as well as behavioural problems and cerebral palsy. More likely but not definitely. At under 26 weeks every extra day in utero counts, so 23 +5 (23 weeks and 5 days) is considered much much better than 23 +1. Chance and what neo natal care the infant received are really important - plus the other points people have made about why the baby was prem.
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Post by ladybug on Jan 12, 2015 23:47:52 GMT
Most of the things you have all suggested we have thought about. At present there is no indication of any medical issues, he had minor surgery to close a hole in the heart at 6 weeks old. He does turn his head when he hears his name. There is possibly a chance of ADHD due to being prem and the fact that half sib has it. I know if full sib has ADHD then there is a 60% chance that subsequent sibs could also have it but assume this could be lower if only a half sib.
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Post by moo on Jan 13, 2015 6:38:24 GMT
Fingers crossed for you ladybug... you seem to have researched well (as ever ).... lets hope its all doable & this time all sails on beautifully xxxx
Hugs to you both xxxx
Xx moo xx
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Post by ladybug on Jan 13, 2015 8:12:57 GMT
Thank you Moo, me too!
X x x Ladybug x x X
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ruby7
Bronze Member
Approved prospective adopter
Posts: 96
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Post by ruby7 on Jan 15, 2015 18:51:39 GMT
This is realy helpful for us as well, although our boy is now 3 and had shaken baby at 7 weeks old but as he was born at 23 weeks he was meant to be born yet.! They say he has developed well considering and cannot say what the issues could be in the future. He has a 7 month delay currently but is mobile and has some words.
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