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Association between early-term birth and delayed neurodevelopment at the age of 2 years: results from a cohort study

Mingyang Wu1,2, Lulin Wang1,2, Yunyun Liu1,2

  • 1Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.

European Journal of Pediatrics
|June 17, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Early-term birth (37-38 weeks) is linked to a higher risk of delayed psychomotor development in children by age two. This association is stronger in males and those born via cesarean section, highlighting potential neurodevelopmental concerns.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurodevelopment
  • Perinatal Medicine
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Early-term births (37-38 weeks) are increasingly recognized for potential short- and long-term health risks.
  • Limited research has explored the specific link between early-term birth and neurodevelopmental delays in early childhood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between early-term birth and the risk of delayed neurodevelopment at two years of age.
  • To identify specific subgroups within early-term births that may be at higher risk for neurodevelopmental delays.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study involving pregnant women and their singleton live births recruited between October 2013 and February 2017.
  • Neurodevelopmental assessment at age two years using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID), focusing on Mental and Psychomotor Development Indexes (MDI and PDI).
  • Delayed neurodevelopment was defined as PDI or MDI scores below -1SD from the population mean, with adjustments for confounders.

Main Results:

  • Early-term birth was significantly associated with a 43% increased odds of delayed psychomotor development (PDI) at age two (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.82).
  • This association was more pronounced in infants born via cesarean section (OR: 1.44) and in male infants (OR: 1.66).
  • No significant difference in mental development (MDI) was observed between early-term and full-term births.

Conclusions:

  • Early-term birth is associated with an elevated risk of delayed psychomotor neurodevelopment at two years of age, as indicated by BSID assessments.
  • Healthcare providers should consider the impact of early-term birth on neurodevelopmental outcomes, particularly in male infants and those delivered by cesarean section.
  • Further research may elucidate the mechanisms underlying these neurodevelopmental differences and inform targeted interventions.

Keywords:
Bayley ScaleBirth cohortCesarean sectionDevelopmentEarly-termInfantNeurodevelopmentPsychomotor

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