The aim of this study is to compare the developmental history, learning and behavior of 20 pre-term and very low birth-weight children (VLB) and 20 full- term children at eight- ten years old. Data collection included interviews and the Child Behavioral Scale administered to the mothers and the Raven test to the children. Signs of delay in psychomotor behaviors acquisitions and predominance of the left hand use in the VLB compared to the control group were detected. In the school phase, most of the children of both groups presented average intellectual level and were attending regular schools. In the VLB group there was a significantly higher proportion of school failure than in the control group and there were 20% of children with hearing impairment. Authough both groups had signs of behavior problems, the VLB group showed more respiratory problems, enuresis, school-refuse, agitation, impatience and attachment to the mother than school children from Ribeirão Preto.
Pre-term; very low birth weight; cognitive development; behavior; learning
