In addition to the risk of death, babies born very prematurely can face high odds of having some level of learning disabilities or other developmental impairment, but the intensity of the disabilities or impairment can vary heavily.
In babies born before 26 weeks, only 20% will have no long-term problems. About 34% will have a mild disability, such as cognitive impairment or near-sightedness. Another 24% will have a moderate disability, such as visual/hearing impairment or cerebral palsy with the ability to walk. Finally, 22% will have a severe disability, such as cerebral palsy and no ability to walk, blindness or profound deafness.
Babies born after 26 weeks also face an increased risk of learning disabilities and other problems, but the specific odds of these problems vary heavily on factors, such as birth weight and whether or not there was oxygen deprivation before birth.
Sources:
Elsworth, Catherine, "Youngest Premature Baby's Survival Called a 'Miracle'." The Daily Telegraph 21 Feb 2007. Accessed 12 Aug 2008.
March of Dimes, "Fact Sheet: Preterm Birth." Quick Reference: Fact Sheets Feb 2007. Accessed 13 Aug 2008.
Tyson, Jon E., Nehal A. Parikh, John Langer, Charles Green, and Rosemary D. Higgins, "Intensive Care for Extreme Prematurity — Moving beyond Gestational Age." New England Journal of Medicine 17 Apr 2008. Accessed 12 Aug 2008.
Quint Boenker Preemie Survival Foundation, "Premature Birth Statistics." Accessed 13 Aug 2008.
