Selection process and eligibility criteria
Two reviewers (X.Z. and A.P.) independently screened titles and
abstracts using self-designed Excel spreadsheets. After that potentially
eligible studies were retrieved for full-text screening. Two reviewers
(X.Z. and A.P.) independently performed a second eligibility check for
the studies retrieved. Any disagreements were fully discussed until
consensus was obtained, and if any uncertainty was left, a third
reviewer was consulted (D.W.).
We included studies that evaluated the association of LGA babies born at
early-term and cognitive or academic outcomes, or those evaluated the
independent effects of early-term birth or LGA on cognitive or academic
outcomes. We excluded animal studies, reviews, case reports, editorials,
comments, conference abstracts and studies that targeted populations
defined by specific health conditions.