The first five years of development of children born pre-term

Abstract

This study investigated the first five years of developmental progress of a group of pre-term infants. Of an initial group of 136 surviving infants born five or more weeks before term in Brisbane in 1975, more than 82% were assessed regularly through their pre-school years. Results indicated that a normal sequence of development was followed by the majority of the children. Although the incidence of cerebral palsy, speech difficulties and minor motor incoordination was higher than average, all but two children were ready to enter school with their peers. Except for a small group of neurologically related signs, factors predictive of development at five years generally differed with age. Regular comprehensive developmental assessment is recommended for identification of age related problems