Children Who Were Born Late Perform Better In School But Have Worse Physical Health

Children who are born at the 41^st week of pregnancy or at late term showed better cognitive performance than children born at full term, according to a study. On the other hand, they exhibited poorer physical health than their counterparts.

The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, looked into more than 1.4 million children in Florida. Medical News Today reported that all of the children were born from single births, born between 37 and 41 weeks of pregnancy in the years 1994 and 2002.

Research shows late-term births may have future cognitive benefits despite elevated physical health risks. https://t.co/4d5Zoyzk72

— Northwestern (@NorthwesternU) June 8, 2016

Better Test Scores, More Gifted

The researchers compared children born at early term, full term and late term in terms of scores in the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, designation as gifted, and probability of having poor cognitive outcomes. The children born late had higher test scores, more were classified as gifted and were fewer in terms of having poor cognitive outcomes, Reuters said, as per AOL.

According to Science Daily, the children born late had 2.8 percent more chance of being classified as gifted and 3.1 percent lower chance of poor cognitive outcomes. In contrast, they also had 2.1 percent greater chance of having abnormal conditions when they are born and of having physical disabilities at school age.

'Tradeoff' In Children Born Late

"There appears to be a tradeoff between cognitive and physical outcomes associated with late-term gestation," the researchers said in their abstract. They added that the study is a source of information for those weighing the options for delivering a baby at full term or late term.

Medical News Today said that the study may have a possible bias because all children who were analyzed came from families that spoke either English or Spanish at home. The analysis of the children happened between April 2013 and January 2016.