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17/10/2013
New research, carried out by researchers at the University of Bristol and published in the journal PLoS ONE, revealed that almost one in three children born prematurely, before 37 weeks, have lower Key Stage 1 (KS1) test results than children who are born at full term, 37-42 weeks.
Furthermore, more than a third have special educational needs (SEN).
35% were found to have special educational needs, compared with 23% of their full-term classmates.
Researchers, led by Dr David Odd from the University of Bristol's School of Clinical Sciences, found that children born prematurely were at an educational disadvantage compared to those who were born at full term, and the difference was more marked if they entered school a year earlier because they had been born premature.
As an example, they said a preterm baby born in August may start school a year earlier than if they had been born a few weeks later in September on their due date.
The study analysed information from almost 12,000 participants from Bristol's Children of the '90s study, and discovered that children placed in an earlier school year due to their early birth had lower scores than those in their correct year.
It is thought up to one in six may be enrolled in school a year earlier than they would be if they had been born at term.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Odd, Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Bristol's School of Clinical Sciences and a clinician based at Southmead Hospital NICU in Bristol, said: "Our research indicates that children who were born prematurely are at higher risk of poor school performance and in greater need of additional educational support at primary school.
"Some of the social and educational difficulties these children face may be avoidable by recognising the impact that their date of birth has on when they start school.
"It is easy to look at a premature child's date of birth and think that is how old they are but they are not that old.
"These children are going to school in some cases a year earlier than they would have done.
"Development doesn't speed up just because you are born earlier. They still have to go through all the developmental stages."
Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green, former first Children's Commissioner for England and Professor Emeritus of Child Health, University College London, added: "The increase in survival rates for premature babies is a great medical success. However, the consequence of this for too many infants is that their educational needs are not being addressed adequately, including the age at which they start formal school education.
"Education experts must look at these data and argue for a change in policy so that the school entry age for children born prematurely is based on their expected due date rather than their premature date of birth."
(JP/IT)
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1 In 3 Premature Babies Struggle At School – Report
Some premature babies should start a school a year later in order to give their brains time to develop, according to experts.New research, carried out by researchers at the University of Bristol and published in the journal PLoS ONE, revealed that almost one in three children born prematurely, before 37 weeks, have lower Key Stage 1 (KS1) test results than children who are born at full term, 37-42 weeks.
Furthermore, more than a third have special educational needs (SEN).
35% were found to have special educational needs, compared with 23% of their full-term classmates.
Researchers, led by Dr David Odd from the University of Bristol's School of Clinical Sciences, found that children born prematurely were at an educational disadvantage compared to those who were born at full term, and the difference was more marked if they entered school a year earlier because they had been born premature.
As an example, they said a preterm baby born in August may start school a year earlier than if they had been born a few weeks later in September on their due date.
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The study analysed information from almost 12,000 participants from Bristol's Children of the '90s study, and discovered that children placed in an earlier school year due to their early birth had lower scores than those in their correct year.
It is thought up to one in six may be enrolled in school a year earlier than they would be if they had been born at term.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Odd, Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Bristol's School of Clinical Sciences and a clinician based at Southmead Hospital NICU in Bristol, said: "Our research indicates that children who were born prematurely are at higher risk of poor school performance and in greater need of additional educational support at primary school.
"Some of the social and educational difficulties these children face may be avoidable by recognising the impact that their date of birth has on when they start school.
"It is easy to look at a premature child's date of birth and think that is how old they are but they are not that old.
"These children are going to school in some cases a year earlier than they would have done.
"Development doesn't speed up just because you are born earlier. They still have to go through all the developmental stages."
Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green, former first Children's Commissioner for England and Professor Emeritus of Child Health, University College London, added: "The increase in survival rates for premature babies is a great medical success. However, the consequence of this for too many infants is that their educational needs are not being addressed adequately, including the age at which they start formal school education.
"Education experts must look at these data and argue for a change in policy so that the school entry age for children born prematurely is based on their expected due date rather than their premature date of birth."
(JP/IT)
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