Early developmental outcomes predicted by gestational age from 35 to 41weeks

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Development
• Neonatal Health
• Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

• Emerging evidence suggests preterm birth, even a few weeks early, is linked to increased health and cognitive issues.
• Previous understanding of risks associated with late preterm birth may have been underestimated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if gestational age (GA) at birth (35-41 weeks) predicts developmental outcomes.
• To assess developmental screening scores at 8, 12, 20, and 24 months of age in relation to GA.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of archival developmental screening scores (Ages and Stage Questionnaires) from 2006-2012.
• Utilized negative binomial and logistic regression models.
• Included a large cohort of children (N=3319 at 8 months) assessed in a county-wide program.

Main Results:

• Each additional week of gestation from 35 to 41 weeks significantly reduced the overall risk of developmental delay at all assessed time points (8, 12, 20, 24 months).
• Gestational age specifically predicted reduced risk for delays in communication, personal-social skills, fine-motor abilities, and problem-solving.
• A graded, dose-response relationship was observed between increased gestational age and decreased risk for developmental delays.

Conclusions:

• A
• dose-response
• effect of gestational age on later development is evident, with each week past 35 weeks showing a graded decrease in overall and domain-specific developmental delay risks.
• Close monitoring of developmental outcomes is recommended for all children born before 40 weeks gestation.