OBJETIVES: In children born apparently healthy and VLBW: 1) to determine their intelectual capacity and cognitive habilities and 2) to evaluate their emotional status. DESIGN: Prospective study, blind, of 20 children with average age of 6.0 ±1.7 years, born at E.Rebagliati Hospital, average birthweight 1271+-252.7g and gestational age 31.8±3.2 weeks. They had no neurological sequelas and received early stimulation during the first year of life. 22 children with average age 8.7±2.58years, born at term, from eutocic delivery who attended the Outpatients Clinic for common problems formed the Control Group. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale, neuropsychological tests and Learning Buskke and Almann Test were applied.RESULTS: In the study group 90% of patients were found irritable, impulsive, impatients, with attention deficit, very poor tolerance to frustration, and failed in temporo-spacial orientation. Memory Span was normal. Also, dissociation between the verbal and excecution skills was found. The control group had better average in excecutive abilities.CONCLUSIONS: 1) VLBW children at the school age showed intelectual global capacity similar to children born with normal weight. 2) There was dissociation between the verbal and excutive skills in the study group. 3) Around 90% of the patients in the study had attention deficit and difficulties in temporo-spacial orientation.