Objective: To assess and compare the Neurodevelopmental outcome at six months of age in healthy term and late preterm(34/0–36/6 wks) neonates.

Design of study: – Prospective cohort study

Study setting– This study is conducted in Pt JNM Medical College and Dr B.R. Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, Raipur, Chhattisgarh

MATERIALS &METHODS Over a period of one year (May 2016 to April 2017), 177 healthy term and 177 late preterm neonates without any perinatal insult were included in the study. Gestational age was assessed using the modified New Ballard score and Neurodevelopmental assessment is done using Denver’s II scale.At six months of age, three test in each domain of mile stone, nearest to and totally to the left of the age line (6 month) in the DDII chart were administered . Infants who were unable to perform at least two items nearest to and totally to the left of the age line were considered as neurodevelopmentally delayed. The data was tabulated using the SSPS version of Microsoft Excel.Both the groups preterm and terms were compared and Odds Ratio at 95% CI was calculated for each developmental test administered.Level of significance was calculated using bivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS Late Preterm neonates have higher odds of neurodevelopmental delay as compared to term neonates. (OR 4.14 at CI 95%)

CONCLUSION:  The Neurodevelopmental outcome of healthy term babies is better than the late preterm at six months and provides opportunity for early intervention programming. Long term outcome requires further follow up.