Neonatal morbidity at term, early child development, and school performance: A population study

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Investigate the association between severe neonatal morbidity (SNM) and child development and school performance among term infants. METHODS: The study population included term infants without major congenital conditions born between 2000 and 2007 in New South Wales, Australia, with a linked record of developmental assessment at ages 4 to 6 years in 2009 or 2012 (n = 144 535) or school performance at ages 7 to 9 years from 2009 to 2014 (n = 253 447). Developmental outcomes included special needs or being vulnerable and/or at risk in 1 of 5 developmental domains. School performance outcomes were test exemption, or performing