Often Mongolian spots could surface in the initial weeks subsequent to birth that generally fade away spontaneously in the span of four years; however it could also last for lifetime.

Mongolian spots are commonly observed birthmarks noted in races like Native Americans (90%), Asians (80%), Hispanics (70%) and lesser than ten percent of the times among whites.

The incidence of Mongolian spots differs among different ethnic sets. Asians are commonly noted to have this condition. The percentage frequency among East-African kids is 80%, Hispanics (46%) and whites (1%-9%). Almost ninety percent of Mongoloid race children have been observed with this condition.

There are no related transience or morbidity and is known to occur in both sexes with some studies indicating greater occurrence among males. Also, full-term babies are more prone to having bluish-grey spots as compared to pre-term babies.

Often confused with bruising, these bluish-grey spots could occur as a solitary mark or in clusters, ranging from some millimetres to ten centimetres or more, diameter-wise.

Widespread Mongolian spots that involve outsized regions cover the complete posterior or anterior trunk and the extremities have been cited.

Numerous variations occur, as stated below:

• Persistent Mongolian spot – They are larger in size with sharper boundaries and last for several years.
• Aberrant Mongolian spot – They are observed in unusually occurring areas like the extremities or on the face.
• Persistent Mongolian spot – Also known as macular-type blue nevi.
• Superimposed Mongolian spot – In this, a darker toned Mongolian spot partly covers a lighter-coloured one.

There is no treatment or any therapy needed on detection of Mongolian spots among kids as it is of no detrimental consequence and would subside by itself. But, large-sized and many spots that are long-standing in nature might be related to atypical genetic disorders in rare and few cases. In case, there is a pre-dominant family history of genetic anomalies alongside this condition, then the child doctor could order for a blood sample to be sent for blood analysis for spotting any particular genetic diseases, each with their own line of treatment.

The child’s doctor might suggest the addition of iron, vitamins or supplemental formula to the existent breastfeeding schedule. Iron supplements are the usual line of treatment in case of premature babies or preemies due to the dearth of iron reserves as compared to those found in the full-term children. Some premature babies basically require additional energy and vitamin intake that could be acquired from supplemental formula for sustaining growth.

Being vigilant about exposure to infectious diseases and smoke:

The under-developed condition of the lungs of a premature child during birth makes it more susceptible to a host of conditions as compared to full-term babies.

• Keeping the child shielded from ailing kin members and pals alongside avoiding public area with enclosures in the initial two winter periods of the year.
• Keeping the child away from tobacco smoke.

Safeguard from grave ailments(immunizing and RSV antibodies):

Except for the hepatitis B vaccination, the premature baby’s schedule for infanthood immunizations is alike those of a full-term child, outlined from the date of delivery (sequential age). One needs to ensure that the persons nearby the baby are also immunized. Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) and immunizing against flu are particularly crucial. It can be quite detrimental for the child to contract whooping cough (pertussis) or the flu (influenza). The child would also need to be safeguarded against respiratory syncytical virus or RSV.

Ocular and auditory screening:

Premature babies are more prone to auditory loss. Those that are born during or prior to thirty weeks of gestation or having birth weights of lower than 1500gms are more prone to developing eyesight problems known as retinopathy of prematurity.

• The United States Preventive Services Task Force has counseled that all newly born babies must undergo screening for auditory loss. The baby’s hearing would have been diagnosed in the NICU, however one needs to be vigilant regarding newly surfaced or raised auditory problems in the infant’s initial 5 years of life.
• Ocular testing is suggested amongst babies that have been born during or prior to thirty weeks, with birth weights lesser than 1500gms or with grave medical conditions. The initial screening is suggested when the baby is between 4-7 weeks old.

Read more at : Preemies Babies – Able Home Tending In The Initial Weeks – Part I

Snooze and sleeplessness patterns:

During delivery, as premature babies have incomplete brain function development in contrast to full-term newly born babies, hence premature babies:

• Have a tendency of sleeping more for every 24-hour time span as compared to full-term babies do, though for smaller time periods. One could look forward to awakening repeatedly during the night times till six months following one’s due date.
• Could hardly ever manage to keep awake for more than short spans of time till nearly two months following the child’s birth. It could even appear like a protracted period of time prior to the child displaying responsiveness to the mother’s presence.

Fussy and hypersensitive behavior:

It is quite a usual occurrence for six weeks and above full-term babies to wail for close to three hours per day. Majority of the premature babies too would exhibit analogous crying patterns. The premature child might exhibit easy over-stimulation in response to unwarranted light sources, noises, feel or movement or due to over-quietude after having stayed in a noise-filled NICU. If that is the case, then a more soothing ambience needs to be slowly introduced by both swaddling the child in a wrap-around coverlet, and holding the child for as long as one could possibly manage to.

Sleeping posture:

Placing the child on the back lowers the likelihood of SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome that is observed to be more prevalent in premature babies as compared to full-term babies.

Feeding patterns:

The child would likely come home on a hospital feeding plan that would provide insight on the frequency of nursing or bottle-feeding at home. For avoiding the infant from getting dehydrated, one must not keep more than four hours gap in-between feeds. Small-sized portions during feed times would aid in reducing spit-ups. If the child is exhibiting symptoms of reflux at the time or following feeds then one would need to speak to the child’s doctor about this fact.