NEURODEVELOPMENTAL PROFILE AT 5 YEARS OF CHILDREN BORN AT LESS-THAN-OR-EQUAL-TO-32 WEEKS GESTATION

Sixty children born preterm (gestational age less-than-or-equal-to 32 weeks) and 60 control children matched by sex, and socio-economic and educational status of the parents were followed prospectively to the a ge of rive years. Neurodevelopmental problems were surveyed by a detai led neurological and neuropsychological test battery, and by ophthalmo logical and hearing examinations. All except one of the preterm childr en with major disability had motor, visual-spatial and visual problems . The most frequent neurodevelopmental abnormalities encountered among preterm children without major disability were motor problems-emergin g as gross and fine motor and/or visual-motor difficulties-and visual- spatial problems. Language difficulties were not associated with heari ng problems. Among those without major disability, visual-spatial diff iculties and ophthalmological problems seldom emerged simultaneously.