Experts warn of developmental problems amongst preterm babies

Babies who were born moderately preterm at 8 months to late preterm at 8.5 months to 9 months face a higher risk of epilepsy or problems with brain function, motor skills, vision, or hearing compared to those who were born at full term of almost 10 months in the mother's womb.

A study examined the neurodevelopmental outcomes of Swedish children who were born moderately preterm (32 to 33 weeks), late preterm (34-36 weeks), and full-term (39-40 weeks). Around 1.2 million children without defects born at 32-41 weeks between 1998 and 2012 also participated in the study.

Researchers found that children born moderately or late preterm had higher risks of any impairment than children born full term. Risks were highest at 32 weeks (8 months) and gradually declined until 41 weeks (10 months). Children born a bit preterm at 37-38 weeks (9 – 9.5 months) also had higher risks compared to children born full term at 39-40 weeks (9.75 – 10 months). Birth weight for gestational age was inversely associated with impairment amongst preterm children, i.e. the lower the weight, the higher the risk.

Researchers stressed that the risks should not be underestimated as these children comprise the largest proportion of preterm births – at 80 per cent.

“The findings may help professionals and families achieve better risk assessment and follow-up, and healthcare systems planning for children born moderately or late preterm,” the researchers wrote in the peer-reviewed BMJ journal.