High rates of school readiness difficulties at 5 years of age in very preterm infants compared with term controls

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: School readiness is best understood as a framework for assessing profiles of strengths and vulnerabilities of the preschool-age child. Very preterm (VPT) children are at high risk of difficulties in school, and understanding their school readiness skills has the potential to aid successful transition into school. The aim of this study was to determine the school readiness skills of a cohort of VPT children, compared with term controls. METHODS: VPT children (gestational age <30 wk or birth weights <1250 g) and term controls were enrolled from a tertiary maternity hospital, Melbourne, Australia into a prospective cohort study. At age 5 years, school readiness skills were evaluated ..