National Perspective of Health Outcomes of 8- to 11-Year-Old Children Born Prematurely and Their Full-Term Peers1

- Children born prematurely experience increased chronic health conditions in middle-childhood compared to children born at term.
- Most common diagnosis were: ADD/AHDH, LD, DD, speech impairment & asthma.
- Children born prematurely require services & medications to treat these conditions.
- Most parents rate their children's health as excellent/very good despite health care needs.

PurposeThe specific aim of this study was to evaluate the health sequelae of preterm birth on children 8 to 11 years of age as compared to same age children born at term; selected variables include special health care needs, chronic conditions, and caregiver perception of health.Design/MethodsA secondary data analysis was conducted to evaluate the health outcomes of children 8 to 11 years of age who were born prematurely compared to a sample of children born at term. The 2011/2012 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) is a nationally representative telephone interview survey of parents/caregivers of children 0 to 17 years of age. Preterm birth was determined by parent report of birth more than 3 weeks early.ResultsUtilizing the Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Screener, 35% of children born prematurely, compared to 24% of children born at term were identified as having a special health care need. The 5 most prevalent conditions were the same in both groups of 8 to 11 year old children and in the larger total sample of children 2 to 17 years of age. However 82% of children born prematurely were described by parents as having excellent or very good health.ConclusionsPremature birth places children at increased risk for conditions that impede the crucial activities of childhood (education, psychosocial development and play). These conditions may require both medications and increased health care services.Implications for PracticeUnderstanding the relationship between preterm birth and ongoing health risks has the potential to inform the health care providers' ability to provide care that maximizes the potential of children born prematurely. Health care providers need to be cognizant of this risk, utilizing early screening and encouraging intervention and family supports.