To predict height at five years in a cohort of 565 very preterm and/or very low‐birth‐weight children, hypothesized growth determinants were subjected to discriminant analysis. Many neonatal parameters were not significantly associated with short stature at five years of age. A correct classification of stature (smaller/larger than the 10th percentile at five years of age) could be obtained in 85% of children, using the following variables: height at two years of age; total (or mid) parental height; parental level of education; length at one year of age; hypertension during pregnancy; sex; weight at two years of age; length percentile at one year of age. However, when compared to actual longitudinal data, the false‐positive rate was 37%. The survey also demonstrated the continuing catch‐up growth in very preterm and very low‐birth‐weight infants after two y