Pediatrics

OBJECTIVETo compare the prevalence of and characteristics associated with early intervention (EI) program enrollment among infants born late preterm (34\u201336 weeks\u2019 gestation), early term (37\u201338 weeks\u2019 gestation), and term (39\u201341 weeks\u2019 gestation).METHODSA Massachusetts cohort of 554 974 singleton infants born during 1998 through 2005 and survived the neonatal period was followed until the third birthday of each infant. Data came from the Pregnancy to Early Life Longitudinal Data System that linked birth certificates, birth hospital discharge reports, death certificates, and EI program enrollment records. We calculated prevalence and adjusted risk ratios to compare differences and understand associations.RESULTSThe prevalence of EI program enrollment increased with each decreasing week of gestation before 41 weeks (late preterm [23.5%], early term [14.9%], and term [11.9%]. In adjusted analyses, the strongest predictors of EI enrollment (adjusted risk ratio 651.20) for all gestational age groups were male gender, having a congenital anomaly, and having mothers who were 6540 years old, nonhigh school graduates, and recipients of public insurance.CONCLUSIONSInfants born late preterm and early term have higher prevalence of EI program services enrollment than infants born at term, and may benefit from more frequent monitoring for developmental delays or disabilities.CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHSUnited States