Premature birth linked to low IQ, cerebral palsy: Canadian study

Babies born "extremely" prematurely are most at risk for severe developmental problems between the ages of four to eight, according to a new study.

The study — published by Dr. Gregory Moore and colleagues at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, the Children's Hospital of Ontario and the University of Ottawa — states infants born at 22 to 25 weeks gestation began showing signs of problems including significant lower IQ, cerebral palsy and impaired vision and hearing.

While the risk of developing those issues didn't change for children delivered at 22 to 25 weeks, the risk dropped by 6% for every extra week of gestation.

"When parents learn that their baby may be born extremely prematurely, some of them want to know what to expect, and we really haven't been able to give them good answers," said Moore, a neonatologist, in a statement.


Source : Chatham Daily News , 27th August 2013