Abstract

Using linked data from the Swedish Medical Birth Registry and the National Service Enrolment Register, long term follow up (to 18–19 years age) was made of 260 surviving singleton boys whose birthweight was less than 1500 g from a total of 150 229 boys born between 1973–5. These boys were shorter and lighter than boys who weighed more at birth, they had more visual and hearing impairments, were at much higher risk of cerebral palsy and other signs of mental impairment, evident as lower intelligence test scores and shorter schooling. No significant excess of asthma, back problems, or headaches were found.