An Evidentiary Review Regarding the Use of Chronological and Adjusted Age in the Assessment of Preterm Infants

PURPOSE. The evidence supporting the recommendation to use age adjustment when assessing the growth, motor, and global development of premature infants was explored. Following a comprehensive literature search, 16 articles that compared the use of adjusted and chronological age were reviewed. CONCLUSIONS. The use of full age adjustment based on the degree of prematurity was supported for the assessment of premature infants for a minimum of 12 months adjusted age. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. The use of adjusted age enhances the ability to accurately recognize genuine delays as opposed to perceived delays related to a child's gestational age at birth.