A month in the life of Harry Tobias
Sandy Green
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Having first smiled at four weeks old, Harry's smiles increased during the following week, initially just at his parents, followed by sister Jasmine and then other family members. He also appeared to grin just as he was about to be fed. Harry's second kidney scan and appointment with the paediatric consultant confirmed that his good kidney is slightly larger than usual, which is positive because it has to do the work of two. The deformed kidney is a mass of cysts (a multi-cystic kidney) and will never function.
Harry's second kidney scan and appointment with the paediatric consultant confirmed that his good kidney is slightly larger than usual, which is positive because it has to do the work of two. The deformed kidney is a mass of cysts (a multi-cystic kidney) and will never function.
Harry will stay on antibiotics for the foreseeable future. This is a precautionary measure, as some babies with his problem can have urine reflux, when urine does not always flow straight out of the body, occasionally returning back along the ureter. The antibiotics help prevent urinary tract infections.
At five and a half weeks Harry began to 'talk' to people, turn taking with the adults in his life as he went 'coo' and 'ahh'.
He was declared well at his six-week check. He is a lightweight baby, being placed on the 9th centile of his weight chart. At seven weeks, Harry rolled from his front to his back several times.
Questions 1 At what age do infants begin to show awareness, rather than passive acceptance of caring routines?
2 At what age is the first social smile usually seen?
3 At what age would you expect an infant to start rolling over?
Answers to part 2 questions (18 March) 1 Swollen breasts are sometimes seen in newborn infants as a result of to the mother's hormones crossing the placenta. It can also cause slight vaginal blood loss in girls.
2 An infant can lose up to 12 per cent of their birth weight in the first few days without raising concern. They usually return to their birth weight by around day ten.
3 The Guthrie (heelprick) test consists of two tests, for phenylketonuria and hypothyroidism. Both conditions can be controlled if detected early.
By Sandy Green, an early years consultant and freelance trainer. She is also Harry's grandmother.
