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Follow-up of preterm children: II. Growth and development at four years of age
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Lund, Malmo General Hospital, Sweden.
Insights
This study followed preterm infants and found they had normal development but lagged behind full-term peers in coordination and reasoning. Preterm children experienced more language delays and required more hospital care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Premature birth (before 35 weeks gestation) can impact long-term child development.
- Understanding developmental trajectories of preterm infants is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the four-year developmental outcomes of preterm infants with those of full-term infants.
- To identify specific areas of developmental difference and potential correlations in preterm children.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study comparing 46 preterm infants with 26 full-term infants.
- Follow-up at four years of age including physical measurements and psychometric evaluation using Griffiths' mental developmental scale.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants were smaller but within normal ranges; head circumference correlated with neurological development.
- Preterm children showed normal overall development but scored lower than full-term peers in coordination, performance, and reasoning.
- Delayed language development, increased need for speech therapy, and higher incidence of visual/hearing disorders were noted in preterms.
Conclusions:
- While preterm infants generally develop within normal limits, they exhibit specific developmental lags compared to full-term peers.
- Preterm birth is associated with increased healthcare needs, including higher rates of hospitalizations and sensory/language impairments.
- Early identification and support for specific developmental challenges in preterm children are warranted.
Abstract:
In a long-term prospective study, 46 unselected infants born before 35 completed weeks of gestation were compared with 26 full-term infants. At four years of age, 44 preterms and 25 full-terms were available to follow-up. The preterms were somewhat shorter in stature and lighter in weight than the full-terms but fell well within the normal range for Swedish children. Head circumference in the preterm group was significantly correlated to neurological development. Psychometric evaluation with Griffiths' mental developmental scale showed the preterms to fall within the normal range, though their performance was inferior to that of the full-terms. The greatest differences between the groups were in scores for the subscales eye and hand coordination, performance, and practical reasoning. There was no correlation within the preterm group between the test results and birthweight, gestational age, prenatal score, perinatal score, or parental social status or education. Language development was delayed among the preterms, more of whom required speech therapy. Visual and hearing disorders were more common among preterms than expected. Although they were all in good health, more preterms than full-terms needed hospital care during the first four years of life.