title: Small-for-dates babies, gestational age, and developmental ability at 7 years.
abstract: One hundred sixteen small-for-dates (SFD) children, whose progress had been monitored prospectively from birth, completed a comprehensive developmental assessment at age 7 years. There was an inverse relationship between their developmental scores at 7 years and gestational age at birth. Further analyses showed that the negative associations were stronger when biological factors commonly associated with the birth of SFD babies were absent. SFD babies are often delivered electively before term because of their increased risks of intrauterine death. The infant's ability to withstand the perinatal metamorphosis is usually assured, prior to intervention. Our findings indicate that, among SFD children in general, prolongation of pregnancy beyond about 36 weeks is not associated with an improved long-term prognosis. When pathological factors are operant, delivery before term may enhance the chances of these babies achieving their full developmental potential in later childhood.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, U.K.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ounsted
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Moar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies