THE EXPRESS
www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/730555/Babies-born-late-struggle-school-full-term-peers-education
Dr Hein Heuvelman, of Manchester University, said: "Numerous studies suggest pre-term birth is associated with cognitive deficit.
"However, less is known about cognitive outcomes following post-term birth.
"On leaving compulsory secondary education both pre- and post-term children had lower grades than term counterparts.
"The grades of small-for-gestational age children were lowest irrespective of gestational age at birth.
"There may be independent effects of foetal maturation and foetal growth on school performance.
"Less favourable outcomes of post-term infants with poor foetal growth suggest placental insufficiency may become particularly toxic to neurodevelopment the longer a pregnancy endures."