What is a common characteristic of children who are born prematurely?

Children who are born prematurely often exhibit the characteristic of being smaller and later to develop some skills. Premature birth can lead to various challenges in physical growth and developmental milestones. A fetus typically develops its full growth and organ function during the later stages of gestation, so when a baby is born early, they may not have fully developed lungs, brain, or other systems.

As a result, these children may exhibit delayed physical growth and may take additional time to achieve developmental milestones, such as crawling, walking, or speaking compared to their full-term peers. This phenomenon is known as developmental delay, which is not uncommon among premature infants. While some premature children may face medical issues or developmental challenges, the statement about being smaller and later to develop is a widely recognized general characteristic.