Babies born prematurely: development and follow-up
Most babies born early grow up healthy, but being born prematurely can increase the chance of difficulties with movement, learning, vision, hearing or behaviour. Regular follow-up means that any difficulties are found early, when support helps most.
Corrected age
Until about 2 years of age, we use your baby’s corrected age: their age from birth minus the number of weeks they were born early. For example, a baby born 8 weeks early is expected, at 6 months old, to do what a 4-month-old baby does.
Which babies need follow-up
- Babies born before 32 weeks, or weighing less than 1.5 kg
- Babies who had a bleed or injury in the brain on their scans
- Babies who needed long breathing support, or had serious infections or surgery
- Babies who had seizures, feeding difficulties or unusual movements as newborns
What we check
- Movement, muscle tone and early movement patterns in the first months
- Development: movement, hand skills, language, play and social skills
- Growth and head size
- Vision and hearing, together with eye and hearing specialists
- Feeding and sleep
Possible difficulties
Most premature babies do not have these difficulties, but we look out for:
- Signs of cerebral palsy, which are more likely in babies born very early
- Developmental delay, including speech and language delay
- Learning, attention and coordination difficulties at school age
- Vision problems, including retinopathy of prematurity, and hearing loss
- Epilepsy, less commonly
Early support
- Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy when needed
- Early intervention, which works best when started early
- We work closely with neonatologists, paediatricians and therapists
- Regular reviews to track progress
How you can help at home
- Spend time face to face with your baby: talk, sing and read together
- Give tummy time when your baby is awake and supervised
- Play on the floor to encourage movement
- Follow your baby’s lead and celebrate small steps
- Keep follow-up and vaccination appointments
When to seek advice promptly
Please contact us or your doctor soon if your baby:
- Seems very stiff or very floppy
- Uses one hand much more than the other before 12 months of age
- Does not follow faces or respond to sounds
- Loses skills they had before
- Has jerks, stiffening or unusual movements that could be seizures
- Feeds very poorly or is not gaining weight
Notes for your appointment
Write down what you notice and any questions, and bring this to your appointment.
| Date | What I noticed | Questions to ask |
|---|---|---|
Contact CPNI
Would you like a developmental review for a baby born prematurely? Call our office on +357 22 476 627, or email cpni2007@gmail.com. We see children through GeSY, and privately if they are not GeSY beneficiaries, in Nicosia and Limassol.
More leaflets and information: www.cpni.com.cy
This leaflet gives general information. It does not replace advice from your child's doctor.
Reviewed by Dr Paola Nicolaides, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, November 2026.