Objective

The present work aims to verify if the scores obtained by a group of preterm infants during the first 3 years of life, evaluated with the Bayley scales, predict posterior cognitive abilities, evaluated with the Wechsler Scales.

Method

A quasi-experimental method of descriptive type with a longitudinal design was used. To examine the predictive capacity of the assessments made with the BSID-II Scale on the results of the WISC-IV Scale, three canonical correlation analyses were carried out: an initial one using the data from the first month of corrected age; another at 18 months corrected age; and a third at a chronological age of 36 months.

Results

The scores obtained in the BSID-II Scales both at 18 months corrected age and at 36 months of chronological age have a significant relationship with the results obtained at 9-11 years old on the WISC-IV Scale. However, the scores obtained at the corrected age of one month do not serve to predict such results.

Conclusions

These results allow us to highlight the predictive value of developmental assessments performed after 18 months of corrected age, with good stability in cognitive development over time. We defend intervention and long-term follow-ups.