Calculating a child’s developmental progress requires consideration of gestational age for those born before their due date. This adjustment, often derived using specialized tools, helps account for the time the infant would have spent in utero, impacting expectations for reaching developmental milestones. For instance, a six-month-old infant born two months early would have a developmental age of four months after this adjustment.
This adjusted measure provides a more accurate framework for assessing development. It mitigates the risk of prematurely labeling an infant as delayed and enables healthcare professionals and caregivers to establish appropriate expectations for growth and learning. This proactive approach supports early intervention strategies when necessary, enhancing the child’s overall developmental trajectory. The concept has been around since the mid-20th century, gaining prominence as neonatal care advanced and survival rates for premature infants improved.
