The aim of this study was to assess early development of pre-term and low birth weight infants. Forty- two infants born under 34 weeks of gestational age and 1.500 grams were assessed through Developmental and Behavior Child Scale (DBCS) in the first year of life. They have been participated at Developmental Follow-up Program for Pre-term Infants in Clinical Hospital of Faculty of Medicine (USP), since neonatal intensive care hospitalization period. Negative psychosocial events in familiar environment, and maternal conceptions and expectations related with child development were evaluated through interview. Performance of children at 6 and 11 months of post conception age (corrected for gestational age) was classified as Good or Excellent, identifying about 35% of infants with Risk or Delay scores. In spite of psychosocial adversity events in familiar environment, positive child development in the first year of life was observed, related with posite maternal expectations about child development and adherence to a follow-up program.
pre-term; very low birth weight; development; behavior; follow-up
