The Impact of Gestational Age on Educational Achievement During Primary and Secondary School Years
By
Francisco J. Schneuer
Anthea Lindquist
Anna Forsythe
Parinaz Mehdipour
Jessica A. Atkinson
Antonia W. Shand
Adrienne Gordon
Andrew J. Martin
Raghu Lingam
Stephen Tong
Roxanne Hastie
Natasha Nassar
September 1, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: The Impact of Gestational Age on Educational Achievement During Primary and Secondary School Years
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Gestational Age at Delivery Key Mechanisms Influences cognitive development and educational outcomes. Target Population Children born in Australia at various gestational ages. Care Setting Population-based cohort study.
Key Highlights
Gestational age is a major predictor of cognitive development during childhood. Children born preterm or early term face greater risks of neurodevelopmental disability. Sibling studies suggest educational outcomes may reflect unmeasured family factors. Educational achievement differences may diminish by adolescence. Study utilized NAPLAN scores to assess educational outcomes. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Assess gestational age at delivery as a predictor of cognitive outcomes. Management
Consider socioeconomic and familial factors when evaluating educational achievement. Monitoring & Follow-up
Monitor educational outcomes in children born at various gestational ages. Risks
Preterm and early term births are associated with increased risks of cognitive delays. Patient & Prescribing Data
Children born at 23 to 42 weeks' gestation.
Educational interventions may need to account for gestational age and family environment.
Clinical Best Practices
Utilize standardized assessments like NAPLAN for evaluating educational outcomes. Account for maternal and birth factors when interpreting educational performance. Related Resources & Content
