[Grammar] a preemie his age

[LQZ]

But after a month, Josiah was off the ventilator, taking 15 milliliters of formula and had smiled at his mother, and doctors said he was where he should be developmentally for a preemie his age. ---taken from the NYT

Dear teacher,

I read a preemie his age as a preemie which is his age or a preemie at his age. Could you tell me which one is correct or both are wrong? Thanks.


LQZ

 

[Barb_D]

A preemie = a baby born prematurely (early).

A preemie his age = A baby born prematurely who is that age -- at that age, or even of that age.

I wonder if they measure it in terms of how many weeks he would have been if it he were still in utero, or how long since he was born? A baby born 10 weeks early who is 20 days "old" is still younger developmentally than a baby born 5 weeks early who is 10 days old.

 

[LQZ]

A preemie = a baby born prematurely (early).

A preemie his age = A baby born prematurely who is that age -- at that age, or even of that age.

I wonder if they measure it in terms of how many weeks he would have been if it he were still in utero, or how long since he was born? A baby born 10 weeks early who is 20 days "old" is still younger developmentally than a baby born 5 weeks early who is 10 days old.

Barb, thanks a lot. But I have one more question:

Seems it is an acceptable omission, so could you please tell me what grammar rule I can comply with is in this case?

 

[Raymott]

Premature babies are called "premmies" here. (rhymes with semis, as in semi-trailers.)
But we say /premmature/, not /preemature/.
Are they really called preemies there, or is this a misspelling?