A growing number of young children may not crawl, pick up small objects, speak or even smile at the age most children do.  New research indicates that babies born less than 5 ½ pounds or before 37 weeks of pregnancy may experience delays in motor and social development throughout early childhood, up to age 4.

These findings were published in a new study: “Birthweight and Gestational Age Effects on Motor and Social Development,” in the January issue of Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology.  The research was conducted by a team at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development that included Dr. Mary Overpeck of HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

Researchers examined results of a health and nutrition survey taken from a national sample of 4,621 infants and children, ages 2 months to nearly 4 years old.  They looked at babies’ birth certificates to learn their birthweight and at how many weeks during pregnancy they were born.  A special scale assessing how well these babies progressed in motor and social development for their age told researchers how low birthweight or preterm babies measured up against those born full term or at normal birthweight. 

Since low birthweight and preterm delivery are associated with small but measurable delays in motor and social development, the researchers urge health care providers to consider both when evaluating development in young children. 

HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau promotes the “medical home” – a system of ongoing health care for infants and children that encourages partnerships between families and health care providers in making medical decisions and helps families find specialized care and services when needed.  The new study documents the need to follow LBW and preterm babies closely in such a system so that appropriate and early intervention can be provided.

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