Neurodevelopmental Outcome of Late Preterm Infants at 12 Months of Age

Background: Late-preterm infants (34-36+6 weeks’ gestation) are often believed to have no higher risks for morbidity and mortality than term infants. This study aims to evaluate the neurodevelopmental outcome of late preterm infants at 12 months of age, compared to term infants. Methods: Neurodevelopmental assessment was administered using the Bayley Scale of Infant Development. Eighty participants, including 40 late preterm and 40 term infants were included. Results: At 12 months of age, the neurodevelopmental assessments of late preterm infants adjusted for prematurity showed no difference from those of term infants. However, without adjusting for prematurity, late preterm infants had a significantly lower Mental Developmental Index and Psychomotor Developmental Index scores than term infants. Conclusion: The findings in this study reveal that late preterm infants had not completed their developmental maturation at 12 months of age. Monitoring these children may help in the early identification of developmental problems and provide appropriate intervention.