Developmental Outcomes at Ages 3-5 among Very-low and Extremely-low-birthweight Children without Major Complications Assessed at 18-24 Months.

Around 9.4% of infants born in Japan have a low birthweight. While some studies have clarified the developmental progress of very-low-birthweight (VLBW) and extremely-low-birthweight (ELBW) infants at 18 months, less is known about how these children fare in preschool. This study aimed to identify VLBW and ELBW infants without major complications and their behavioral and emotional characteristics as preschoolers compared to their infantile development. Participants were the parents of 28 VLBW and ELBW children without major complications. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) 1.5-5 was administered at ages 3-5, and the results were compared with the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT). The examination outcomes were assessed at 18-24 months. Of these, 11 had normal scores on all CBCL scales, but the outcomes of the other 17 children were borderline or in the clinical range on either of the CBCL scales. Twenty-one children were screened negative on M-CHAT. Eleven had normal scores on all CBCL scales, but the outcomes of the other 10 children were borderline or in the clinical range on either of the CBCL scales. Seven children screened positive on M-CHAT, and all scored in the borderline or clinical range on either of the CBCL scales. Seven of the 23 M-CHAT items demonstrated relevance between 6 out of 10 CBCL-1.5-5 scales. M-CHAT-positive infants are likely to continue facing behavioral and emotional problems as preschoolers. Even in infants with a negative M-CHAT screening, the underlying problems may become apparent during the preschool years.