Aim To describe neurodevelopmental outcomes during early childhood among infants born very preterm and define the relationships between neurobehaviour of very preterm infants and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 4 years. Methods Forty‐eight infants born ≤32 weeks gestation had neurobehaviour assessed at term equivalent age using the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS). Outcomes at 4 years were assessed with the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ‐3), the Sensory Profile‐Short Form (SF) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function‐Preschool version (BRIEF‐P). Results At 4 years, 23 (48%) children had at least one below average score on the ASQ‐3, 15 (31%) had a below average total score on the Sensory Profile‐SF, and 3 (6%) had an abnormal total score on the BRIEF‐P. Children with lower fine motor scores at 4 years had poorer orientation (P = 0.03) and self‐regulation (P =0.03), hypertonia (P = 0.01), and more sub‐optimal reflexes (P = 0.02) as neonates. Children with lower gross motor scores at 4 years of age had more sub‐optimal reflexes (P = 0.03) and lethargy (P = 0.046) as neonates. Children with tactile sensitivity at 4 years of age had poorer orientation (P = 0.01) and tolerance of handling (P = 0.03) as neonates. Children with decreased responsiveness at 4 years of age had low arousal (P = 0.02) as neonates, and those with poor auditory filtering at age 4 years had hypotonia (P = 0.03) as neonates. Conclusion Early neurobehaviour is related to neurodevelopmental outcome in early childhood.

No abstract