A recent umbrella review and meta-analysis evaluated the association of preterm birth and low birth weight with cognitive and educational outcomes. The analysis included 40 systematic reviews, comprising 788 reanalyzed effect estimates across multiple age groups. Preterm birth and low birth weight were associated with lower IQ and poorer performance across educational domains, including reading, mathematics, and spelling. These individuals also had a greater need for special educational support, with stronger associations observed at earlier gestational ages and lower birth weights.
Lower school completion rates and higher educational costs are reported among these populations. Although some effects appeared to lessen during adolescence, cognitive and educational challenges persisted into adulthood. These findings highlight the need for early support and long-term follow-up in…
