2 Year NICU Follow Up

This morning I brought Addison back to Children's Hospital for her 2 year NICU follow up appointment. The doctors put her through a series of tests using the Bayley Scale of Infant Development. The purpose of this test is to identify any struggles Addison may have as a result of her preemie status. The goal is to hopefully correct any of these problems before she enters kindergarten.

It ended up being a long test because Addison was doing so well. If she does well on a particular question, they ask additional questions. If not, they move on to the next section. It is in an interesting test & fun to watch how Addison reacts.

Here are her results:

Cognitive: 25 months - right on target

Motor Score
    Fine Motor: 25 months - right on target
    Gross Motor: 19 months - 5 months below target

Addison has always been a bit delayed on this section. Last year she struggled with transitions from laying to sitting & sitting to standing - partly because she skipped crawling. This time it was more related to fear. She was afraid to step up & down using the stepping stool without holding my hand & didn't want to do any of the stuff without my help. This part of the test was also at the end of the testing session - at this point she already had 90 minutes of testing so the doctor wasn't too concerned. We just have to make sure she has extra time each day to work on physical activities.

   
 
Language Score:
    Expressive: 35 months - 11 months above target
    Receptive: 35 months - 11 months above target

Of course we knew she would do well on this section. She LOVES to talk!  She had a lot to say & was very excited to look at all the pictures in their book & wanted to comment on everything. The testing included a lot of her favorite things like balls & babies. Addison insisted that the doll sit next to her & answer the questions as well. So sweet!

We also saw the cardiologist last week for a follow up. Her PDA is so miniscule they won't do anything about it. The doctor believes it will continue to diminish over time & eventually disappear. She still has a murmur but again, he wasn't concerned. She doesn't have to go back  again until she is 5!!!


I am so thankful every day for this little girl but every time she has this test, I am reminded again how lucky we are that she is so healthy & doing so well. We are so blessed that she has / is receiving such excellent medical care. Again, I can't say enough of the staff at Children's & all of the doctors that are involved in her care.. They are just incredible!