Journal
ACTA PAEDIATRICA
Volume 95, Issue 10, Pages 1249-1257Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1080/08035250600615127
Keywords
cognition; coordination; intrauterine growth retardation; IQ; small for gestational age
Categories
Funding
- Wellcome Trust [064220Z/01Z] Funding Source: Medline
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Aim: To investigate the development and behaviour of low-birthweight ( LBW) term infants compared with matched term infants of appropriate birthweight ( ABW). Methods: Two parallel cohorts of LBW infants ( 1500 - 2499 g) and ABW controls ( 3000 - 3499 g) were enrolled at birth in northeast Brazil. At 8 y, 164 children were assessed using clinical and psychological tests. Results: The LBW group had lower IQ scores than ABW children on the Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children; differences were larger on the performance ( 5 points, p = 0.04) than the verbal scale ( 3 points, p = 0.11). LBW children had poorer dynamic balance ( p = 0.03) and eye - hand coordination ( p = 0.02), but better selective attention ( p = 0.02). Hyperactivity and conduct problems were common in both groups, but fewer LBW children had peer problems ( p = 0.04). After controlling for social background, IQ was not significantly associated with birthweight ( p = 0.10). Significant determinants were maternal education, home stimulation and type of school attended. The effect of birthweight on coordination and selective attention remained significant. Birth head circumference and growth in head size in the first 6 mo had independent effects on IQ. Conclusion: After controlling for social background, LBW term infants did not differ from ABW infants in cognition at school age. Head circumference at birth and 6 mo was a better predictor than birthweight of IQ.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available