The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of visual attention of preterm infants at 35 wks PMA and ND outcome. A standardized ND examination was performed on 177/217 (81%) survivors (<31 wks gestation) at a mean PMA of 35.4 ± 1.6 wks. Visual attention was assessed on two consecutive trials (T1, T2) using a 4 inch diameter red yarn ball at 8-12 inches. Cranial ultrasounds were performed at 72 hours, one week, 3-4 weeks and thereafter as needed. Follow up ND assessments were performed on 120/177(68%) infants between 1-3 years of age. Infants with Bayley MDI scores <70 or CAT-CLAM quotients <70 were classified as having abnormal cognition. The ICROP classification was used for ophthalmological status. Group 1 (N=57) were infants who did not visually track, Group 2 (N=120) tracked horizontally in one or both directions during T1. Table

Table 1
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Abnormal cognitive outcome was significantly associated with lack of visual tracking at T1 (P=.008), but not T2. Visual tracking of a novel stimulus at 35 wks PMA may be an early marker of CNS integrity. (Supported by The Children's Guild).

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