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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Adult outcomes of preterm children

Maureen Hack1

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA. mxh7@case.edu

Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics : JDBP
|October 14, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Most preterm infants who survive neonatal intensive care live normal adult lives, with outcomes influenced by gestational age and family socioeconomic status.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Adult Health Outcomes

Background:

  • Neonatal intensive care has improved survival rates for preterm infants.
  • Long-term adult outcomes for these survivors are increasingly studied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the adult outcomes of individuals who received neonatal intensive care as preterm infants.
  • To identify predictors of adult outcomes in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Review of adult outcomes including neurodevelopmental, behavioral, health, social functioning, and reproduction.
  • Comparison of preterm survivors to control groups.

Main Results:

  • Preterm survivors showed statistically significant differences in most outcomes compared to controls.
  • The majority of preterm survivors achieve good adult outcomes and live normal lives.
  • Lower gestational age and family sociodemographic status were key predictors of adult outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • While differences exist, most preterm survivors adapt well into adulthood.
  • Perinatal injury (indicated by gestational age) and socioeconomic factors significantly impact long-term health and development.

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