Predicting Executive Function Deficits in 6-Year-Old Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Children without Severe Delay at Age 2 Using Bayley-III

The present study evaluated the feasibility and utility of the Bayley-III as a predictive tool for identifying executive function (EF) deficits at age 6 among very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm children without severe developmental delays. Eighty-five VLBW children were assessed at age 2 and followed up at age 6. Specific Bayley-III items that demonstrated predictive validity were used to construct a pre-EF scale, which effectively predicted deficits in cognitive flexibility, verbal working memory, and nonverbal working memory but not inhibition or planning. These findings support the utility of early EF assessment in facilitating timely intervention and targeted support.