Background & objectives: Screening and early diagnosis of delayed development in children particularly among high risk groups are obligatory. Children with a history of one or more risk factors in pre-natal, peri-natal and post-natal periods are prone to delayed development in comparison with normal population. This study was launched to assess the developmental status in children with a history of NICU admission.

  Methods : In this study 114 children, aged between 4-60 months with a history of NICU admission were recruited. ASQ questionnaires including information in 5 fields: communication, fine and gross motor status, personal-social and problems solving, were filled for each one of the cases by their parents. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi square test.

  Results: Among 114 cases, there were 71.1% male. Totally 70.2% of cases were premature. The most prevalent reason for admission was immaturity. The average weight of infants was 2233 ± 680 gram. Figures of abnormal findings in 5 fields were: communication 20.2%, gross motor 17.5%, fine motor 19.3%, problem solving 8.8% and personal-social 16.7%. In this study 67.5% of children showed normal development while 6.1% were abnormal in all 5 fields and 26.3% were abnormal in at least one filed. Statistically, there weren’t significant differences between various developmental fields and genus, length of hospital stay and birth weight.

  Conclusion : Despite normal developmental status in majority of children with a history of NICU admission, a considerable number of them had delayed development in at least one field. These findings suggest a need for patient screening and intense follow up programs.