[From preterm birth to adulthood].

Mortality among low birthweight infants has decreased and their neurological prognosis has improved over the recent decades. A major neurological impairment is, however, still found at preschool age in almost one fifth of those born with a birthweight of less than 1000 g. They often have difficulties in scholastic skills and become independent more slowly than their age-mates, but most of them will lead a normal adult life. They do, however, possess more risk factors of cardiovascular disease as compared with those born after a full-term pregnancy. In adult life these premature infants instead exhibit less high-risk behavior.