Developmental Outcome of 519 Small-for-Gestational Age Children at the Age of Two Years

Abstract

At the age of two years developmental outcome of 519 small-for- gestational age (SGA) children and 3375 control children was studied in southwestern Finland. A modification of the Denver Developmental Screening Test was used for follow-up. A significantly higher number of developmental abnormalities was found in SGA children than in the control children at the age of two years. Significant differences were found in walking, manual performance and comprehension between SGA and control children. Asphyxia was the only perinatal complication associated with later developmental abnormalities in SGA infants. Term SGA infants had a significantly higher frequency of developmental delays than term appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) infants. In preterm infants no difference was found between SGA and AGA infants. Poor head growth during the first two years of life was an important risk factor for later developmental abnormality in SGA infants.