Early-born babies at more risk of developmental delays, conduct issues, study says

According to a research study reported by Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper, babies born early but not severely premature are at higher risk of developmental delays, learning problems and school suspensions. Even though such babies appear almost the same as full-term babies, researchers say that's not true in many cases. The study compared 7,152 children born in Florida at 34 and 36 weeks gestation, known as late preterm, or near-term, with 152, 661 infants born between 37 and 42 weeks gestation, which is considered the safest time period to deliver a baby. From the article:

The preterm infants were at a 36 per cent greater risk for a developmental delay or disability such as autism spectrum disorder than the infants born at term. The risk of suspension in kindergarten for behavioural problems was 19 per cent higher for late preterm babies. They were also more likely to be held back to repeat kindergarten and even showed more signs of a developmental disability in prekindergarten.