Very preterm birth and foetal growth restriction are associated with specific cognitive deficits in children attending mainstream school

• DOI: 10.1111/apa.12811
• Publication Date: 2014-10-02T10:10:46Z
• Authors: Hanna Kallankari; Tuula Kaukola; Päivi Olsén; Marja Ojaniemi; Mikko Hallman
• Keywords: Neurocognitive

This study investigated the association of prenatal and neonatal factors with cognitive outcomes in schoolchildren born very preterm without impairments at age nine.We recruited a prospective regional cohort 154 low gestational (VLGA) children <32 weeks 90 term-born comparison between November 1998 2002 Oulu University Hospital, Finland. Cognitive outcome was assessed using an inclusive neuropsychological test repertoire nine.The final group comprised 77 VLGA cerebral palsy or any impairment 27 children. associated 1.5-point [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.6-2.3] reduction visuospatial-sensorimotor processing 1.2-point (95% CI 0.5-1.9) attention-executive functions scores. Foetal growth restriction (FGR) only clinical risk factor that outcome. Children FGR had significant decrease language (1.7 points, 95% 0.50-3.0) memory-learning (1.6 0.4-2.8) scores.Children poorer performance specific neurocognitive skills than independent for compromised predicted difficulties language, memory learning.