Researchers at the University of York have identified a link between prematurity and a higher likelihood of developmental challenges later in childhood. The study highlights increased risks for conditions such as cerebral palsy, cognitive delays, speech difficulties, and other related outcomes, with findings published in Pediatrics.
Across an extensive review, authors evaluated results from 75 scientific studies, encompassing more than eight million children in total. Compared with children born at full term, those born prematurely show elevated risks that persist even when births occur as early as 37 to 38 weeks, a window often referred to as the early part of the final month of pregnancy. Importantly, the data indicate that these risks tend to decline with each additional week of gestation.
For instance, the probability of cerebral palsy is markedly higher for babies born during 32 to 33 weeks of gestation, being about 14 times greater than for term-born peers. The compilation also reveals that the challenges observed in children born between 32 and 38 weeks continue throughout childhood, with higher odds of cognitive impairment and lower educational attainment extending into high school years.
The authors acknowledge that the exact mechanisms behind these findings are not yet fully understood. They note that around seven percent of births in the United Kingdom occur moderately preterm each year, a statistic with meaningful implications for population health management and planning.
Earlier research has linked premature birth with an elevated risk of autism spectrum conditions, prompting ongoing investigation into how gestational age interacts with genetic and environmental factors to shape developmental trajectories.