In a pediatric clinic, which 6-month-old infant should a nurse be most vigilant for signs of cerebral palsy?

When considering which infant is at the highest risk for developing cerebral palsy, a key factor to note is the infant's gestational age at birth. Infants born preterm, especially those born significantly before the expected date, such as at 32 weeks, are at a greater risk for a variety of developmental issues, including cerebral palsy. This increased risk is attributed to factors such as underdeveloped brain structures and potential complications associated with preterm birth, which can lead to neurological impairment.

In the context of this question, the 6-month-old infant born at 32 weeks is the one for whom the nurse should be most vigilant regarding signs of cerebral palsy. Early detection and intervention are crucial, as timely therapeutic measures can significantly influence the long-term developmental outcomes for children at risk.

In contrast, a term infant (born at 40 weeks) generally has a lower risk of developing cerebral palsy compared to preterm infants, as they typically have fewer complications associated with birth maturity. An infant with no prenatal complications and one with a weight above the 75th percentile may still present normally developing neurological signs, and while growth percentiles can have implications for overall health, they do not specifically indicate a higher risk for cerebral palsy like prem