Title | School outcomes of late preterm infants: special needs and challenges for infants born at 32 to 36 weeks gestation. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2008 |
Authors | Chyi LJ, Lee HC, Hintz SR, Gould JB, Sutcliffe TL |
Journal | J Pediatr |
Volume | 153 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 25-31 |
Date Published | 2008 Jul |
ISSN | 1097-6833 |
Keywords | Child, Child Development, Child, Preschool, Cognition, Education, Special, Educational Status, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Infant, Premature, Male, Outcome Assessment (Health Care), Reading, Schools |
Abstract | OBJECTIVE: Because limited long-term outcome data exist for infants born at 32 to 36 weeks gestation, we compared school outcomes between 32- to 33-week moderate preterm (MP), 34-36 week late preterm (LP) and full-term (FT) infants. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 970 preterm infants and 13 671 FT control subjects were identified from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort. Test scores, teacher evaluations, and special education enrollment from kindergarten (K) to grade 5 were compared. RESULTS: LP infants had lower reading scores than FT infants in K to first grade (P < .05). Adjusted risk for poor reading and math scores remained elevated in first grade (P < .05). Teacher evaluations of math skills from K to first grade and reading skills from K to fifth grade were worse for LP infants (P < .05). Adjusted odds for below average skills remained higher for math in K and for reading at all grades (P < .05). Special education participation was higher for LP infants at early grades (odds ratio, 1.4-2.1). MP infants had lower test and teacher evaluation scores than FT infants and twice the risk for special education at all grade levels. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent teacher concerns through grade 5 and greater special education needs among MP and LP infants suggest a need to start follow-up, anticipatory guidance, and interventions for infants born at 32 to 36 weeks gestation. |
DOI | 10.1016/j.jpeds.2008.01.027 |
Alternate Journal | J. Pediatr. |
PubMed ID | 18571530 |