After my child, Benelli, was born, it felt as if she faced one adversity after the next.
Being born five weeks premature and affected by hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), she was smaller than most babies her age, and cognitively, she had some catching up to do.
She did not develop the gross motor skills as quickly as her counterparts. Mostly, during her first year of life, it has felt as if she were having to play “catch up.”
Types of delays
HDFN babies may display a number of delays, mostly resulting from premature birth. These could include:
1. Growth delays,
2. Cognitive delays and
3 . Kinesthetic days
This type of adversity is typical for most HDFN babies. As a parent, it feels discouraging to notice delays. However, when I remind myself how far she has come from a disease ridden child in the womb, it is truly a miracle. I remember times that she was so weak that shecould not even wake up, and now, she is moving non-stop and has the energy to play and be active.
Learn more about HDFN prognosis
Developmental delays
Benelli has always been in the lower percentage for her weight, and she was originally considered small inheight, but she quickly grew out of that due to her father being over six feet. Growth delays can worry both parents and doctors due to the fear of a child falling into the “failure to thrive” category, which can cause children to be admitted into the hospital.
Cognitive delays
Cognitive delays that we have experienced include limited vocabulary, slow processing skills and excessive tiredness. Benelli has picked up on some words; however, her vocabulary is very small for her age. At the age of one, her vocabulary is limited to six words. She also has exhibited slow processing, meaning that when she responds to something, she has a delayed response or reaction. This is beginning to resolve itself. The excessive tiredness resolved itself by the time she was four months old.
Kinesthetic delays
Benelli also had delays with mobility. she did not begin rolling over until she was almost six months, she could not sit up unsupported until she was almost eight months, she did not crawl until she was ten months and she still has yet to walk at thirteen months. Each child is different and reaches these milestones at different times;however, as a mom of an HDFN warrior, I believe
she would have reached these milestones sooner had she not been born with this disease.
Overcoming the odds
Overall, Benelli has pushed through adversity in her first year of life. She has overcome many challenges due to being born premature and fighting a rare disease. As her parents, we will smile at her determination and will to overcome continued adversity.
