A longitudinal follow up of development of preterm infants.

A prospective study was undertaken to determine the development of preterm (PT) babies (gestation less than 37 weeks). One hundred and seventy two preterm babies and 36 control babies were followed up for a period of 18-24 months. Psychomotor development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 months, using the corrected or post conceptional age. Preterm babies, as a group, caught up with normal babies between 18-24 months, both on the motor and mental scale. Higher the birth weight, better was the mean motor development quotient at 18 months. Uncomplicated preterm babies showed higher mean development quotients at 18 months than preterm babies with additional complications and they also caught up earlier (12-18 months) than the latter group who caught up between 18-24 months. Similarly, PT appropriate for gestational age (AGA) babies showed, earlier 'catch up' than PT small for gestational age (SGA) babies. The incidence of cerebral palsy was low (4%).