Only one fourth of the ELBW infants were classified as normally developed at age 5. The high rate of cognitive dysfunction suggests an increased risk for learning difficulties that needs to be evaluated at a later age. Extended follow-up should be the rule in outcome studies of ELBW infant cohorts to elucidate the impact of immaturity on school achievement and social behavior later in life.

The mother-preterm infant relationship is complex, and some relational patterns forecast greater psychological risk than others. It is important to decrease maternal stress and early separation in every possible way during hospitalization as well as after discharge.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown an association between prematurity and attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Results concerning late preterm infants are controversial, and studies examining fetal growth represented by weight for gestational age are scarce. Our objective was to examine the association between gestational age by each week of fetal maturity, weight for gestational age, and ADHD.