[Purpose] This study aimed to examine, using the Interaction Rating Scale, the effect of
social skills at 18 months of life on the subsequent development of low birthweight
infants. [Participants and Methods] The study participants were made up of a total of 23
infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Hospital A and whose
developmental indexes were followed up at the outpatient clinic for up to 3 years of age.
The survey was conducted twice in each infant, at a corrected age of 18 months and at 36
full months of age. Social skills and developmental indexes were assessed at the corrected
age of 18 months, meanwhile only developmental indexes were assessed at 36 full months, to
examine associations. The Interaction Rating Scale was used to assess social skills. This
scale measures various aspects of social development by observing caregiver-child
interactions in situations wherein children are engaged in tasks more difficult for their
age. [Results] The results demonstrated that social skills at 18 months were associated
with the developmental indexes at 18 and 36 months, whereas more items were associated
with the developmental index at 36 months. [Conclusion] The results indicate the need for
early prediction of developmental delay and timely intervention, by assessing social
skills in low birthweight infants.