Research Findings - Infants Born at 37-38 Weeks Have Increased Risk of Developmental Delays

Source: Pediatrics - July 2, 2012
Research has shown that infants born at 34-36 weeks’ gestation ("late preterm") have an increased risk of developmental delays. New study findings show that infants born at 37-38 weeks’ gestation ("at term") are also at risk. The study analyzed data from 128,050 babies born between 37 & 41 weeks’ gestation in New York City. Researchers found that reading & math scores in third grade for children born at 37-38 weeks were significantly lower than those of children born at 39-41 weeks. This effect was independent of birth weight, as well as a number of other obstetric, individual-level, and community-level socioeconomic & demographic characteristics. The findings suggest that clinicians& parents should consider the link between weeks of gestation & school performance, especially when considering elective early deliveries for nonmedical reasons.

Full citation: Kimberly G. Noble, K.G, Fifer, W.P., Rauh, V.A., Nomura, Y., Andrews, H.F. (2012). Academic achievement varies with gestational age among children born at term. Pediatrics. Published online July 2, 2012.   http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/Infants-Born-at-37-or-38-weeks-have-Increased-Risk-of-Lower-Test-Scores-in-Third-Grade.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token