Cognitive outcome at 2 years of age in Finnish infants with very low birth weight born between 2001 and 2006

Aim: To study cognitive outcome of premature, very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in relation to parental education and neonatal data. Methods: A regional cohort of 182 VLBW infants born between 2001 and 2006 was followed up. Brain ultrasounds (US) were examined serially until term age and brain magnetic resonance imaging at term age. Neurological status was examined systematically. Cognitive development was assessed using the Mental Developmental Index (MDI) of Bayley Scales at 2 years of corrected age. A total of 192 healthy full-term (FT) controls were assessed with the MDI at 2 years of age. Results: The mean MDI in VLBW infants was 101.7 (SD 15.4), which was lower compared with FT controls (109.8, SD 11.7, p