Long-Term Educational Outcomes of Individuals Born Preterm

Do children born preterm face educational challenges into adulthood?In this case-control study including all individuals born preterm in Quebec, Canada, between 1976 and 1995, matched 1:2 with peers born full-term (297 820 individuals total), individuals born preterm were at increased odds of not graduating high school or obtaining a university degree in a dose-response pattern by gestational age at birth. However, high school grades were similar among those who remained in school, and the contribution of preterm birth was minor compared with other sociodemographic factors.These results suggest that continuing educational support is warranted to optimize school achievement for individuals born preterm.

Corresponding Author: Thuy Mai Luu, MD, MSc, CHU Sainte Justine 3175, chemin Côte Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, Québec H3T 1C5, Canada (thuy.mai.luu@umontreal.ca).

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