Objective: To determine whether race or gender affect the rate of neurodevelopmental maturation in Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) infants using a measurement of tone and reflexes from serial neurodevelopmental examinations prior to term.

Participants: All low-risk VLBW infants (BW<1500 gms) born June, 1994 to July, 1996 (n=57) who did not have intracerebral hemorrhage or echodensities, oxygen ≥28 days, in utero exposure to illicit drugs, intrauterine growth retardation or perinatal depression. Mean BW was 1104±211 gms (range 620-1465); gestational age (i.e. best obstetrical estimate) was 28±2 wks (24-32). There were 32 (56%) males and 34 (60%) African Americans (AA).

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