title: Preterm infants' early developmental status is associated with later developmental outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the development of preterm infants from 40 weeks gestational age to 18 months corrected age to identify early predictors of later development.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one infants were involved. Infant development was assessed at 40 and 44 weeks gestational age with the Brazelton neonatal behavioral assessment scale and a self-regulation scale and at 3, 6, 10, 18 months corrected age with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. The quality of general movements was assessed at 1 and 3 months corrected age and maternal attachment style at infant's age of 6 months corrected age with the Relation Scale Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At term age and 1-month corrected age, preterm infants were less mature and had lower levels of self-regulation than full-term infants. At 3 months corrected age, a higher proportion of preterm infants (43%) had mildly abnormal motor quality compared to the general population (25%). At all follow-ups, preterm infants had delayed mental, motor and behavioural development, which was associated with the level of self-regulation, motor quality and maternal attachment style. Maternal education level was the most predominant background factor related to infant development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preterm infants show early-in-life deviations in self-regulation, motor quality and development. These deviations are risk factors for later optimal functioning.
authors.affiliation: Skaraborg Institute for Research and Development, Skövde, Sweden. cristina.lundqvist-p@skaraborg-institute.se
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lundqvist-Persson
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nordin
authors.forename: Elsa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bona
authors.forename: Karl-Göran
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Sabel
mesh_terms: D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors