- Very low birth weight (less than 1500 g at birth) or very preterm (fewer than 32 weeks’ gestation) infants
- Infants with severe perinatal complications (e.g. severe foetal growth restriction, foetal distress in labour, need for prolonged resuscitation at birth)
- Children with meningitis, cerebral bleeds or brain trauma
- Children with birth defects that affect the brain
- Children from emotionally-deprived homes