Alterations in neurobehavior at term reflect differing perinatal exposures in very preterm infants

Abstract

OBJECTIVES. Preterm infants have higher rates of cognitive and behavioral difficulties at school age than their term-born peers. We hypothesized that neurobehavior at term would be different in very preterm infants compared with term infants and that perinatal exposures would be associated with these alterations in neurobehavior. PATIENTS AND METHODS. Two standardized neurobehavioral evaluations were completed on 207 infants at term equivalent, including 168 very preterm infants (<1250 g or <30 weeks' gestation) and 39 term control infants. The assessments used were the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale and the revised Hammersmith Neonatal Neurologic Examination. The..