Mental and motor development for three groups of premature infants

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to contrast three groups of premature infants on 4-and 8-month cognitive and motor development. Premature infants diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD; n = 21) and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS; n = 17) were recruited from a regional medical center along with a group of healthy prematures (well; n = 10). Well infants outperformed RDS infants, who, in turn, outperformed BPD infants on cognitive assessments at 4 and 8 months. Both well and RDS infants scored higher than BPD infants on motor development at 4 and 8 months. Suggestions for future research efforts are offered.