This study compared the development of 5 years old premature and low weight born children, with full term born children of the same age. The following indicators were evaluated: academic (IAR), behavioral (CBCL-1½-5 years), language (LAVE-expressive, TVIP-receptive) and cognitive (Columbia, Raven-MPC and CATM). The sample consisted of 34 children: 17 premature and low weight born children (<37 weeks' gestation), and 17 full-term born children who weighed >2.500g as newborns. The premature children showed a lower performance on academic, expressive language, behavioral and cognitive areas (Columbia and CATM: cognitive operations and facilitating behaviors). The study confirmed other studies indicating that premature children can present more problems in the course of their development than full term born children.
prematurity; cognitive performance; development risk factors
