Neurological outcome in preterm small for gestational age infants compared to appropriate for gestational age preterm at the age of 18 months: A prospective study

Studies investigating the neurodevelopmental outcome of infants being born small for gestational age (SGA) compared with those being born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) show controversial results. The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of small for gestational age (SGA) in preterm infants on neurological examination until the age of 18 months. A prospective trial was conducted comparing 34 preterm infants being born SGA (birth weight < 10th percentile) with 120 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. Twenty items assessing the categories of cranial nerve function, movements and tone from the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination were examined in both groups. The results revealed significant differences regarding neurological outcome at 18 months between SGA- and AGA-infants in the items of Head, Trunk and Arms of the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination. SGA infants have a higher risk for adverse neurological outcome compared with AGA infants.