Neurodevelopmental Outcome at 8 Months and 4 Years Among Infants Born Full-term Small-for-gestational-age

Objectives: To examine the association between intrauterine growth restriction and neurodevelopmental outcome among full-term small-for-gestational-age (SGAT) infants at 8 months and 4 years of age.

Study Design: Growth parameters at birth and test scores on measures of neurodevelopmental function for 3922 children born SGAT were compared with those of 29,369 children born appropriately grown-for-gestational-age term from similar economic backgrounds. Additional within-SGAT/economic group comparisons were made for 1684 SGAT infants with symmetric undergrowth at birth and 2034 SGAT infants with asymmetric undergrowth at birth.

Results: Regardless of socioeconomic background, infants born SGAT were found to be at significantly increased risk for neurodevelopmental difficulties at 8 months and at 4 years of age. Few within SGAT/socioeconomic group differences in neurodevelopmental outcome appeared to be associated with specific pattern of growth restriction at birth.

Conclusions: The present findings provide further evidence of the individual and public health impact of SGAT birth.