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Cognitive profile in young adults born preterm at very low birthweight
Author(s) -
LØHAUGEN GRO C C,
GRAMSTAD ARNE,
EVENSEN KARI ANNE I,
MARTINUSSEN MARIT,
LINDQVIST SUSANNE,
INDREDAVIK MARIT,
VIK TORSTEIN,
BRUBAKK ANNMARI,
SKRANES JON
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2010.03743.x
Subject(s) - wechsler adult intelligence scale , intelligence quotient , gestational age , confidence interval , cognition , wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligence , odds ratio , pediatrics , psychology , low birth weight , medicine , birth weight , wechsler intelligence scale for children , pregnancy , psychiatry , genetics , biology
Aim The aim of this study was to assess cognitive function at the age of 19 years in individuals of very low birthweight (VLBW; ≤1500g) and in term‐born comparison individuals. Method In this hospital‐based follow‐up study, 55 VLBW participants (30 males, 25 females; mean birthweight 1217g, SD 233g; mean gestational age 29.1wks, SD 2.5wks) and 81 comparison individuals (42 males, 39 females; mean birthweight 3707g, SD 433g; mean gestational age 39.7wks, SD 1.2wks) were examined with a standardized IQ test (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale III) to assess general cognitive ability. Results Over half (53%) of the VLBW participants achieved a low IQ score (defined as >1SD below the mean in the comparison group; odds ratio 6.4 vs comparison individuals; 95% confidence interval 2.8–14.4; p <0.001). None of the VLBW group, compared with 22% of the comparison individuals, achieved a high IQ score (>1SD above the comparison mean). VLBW participants scored lower than comparison individuals on full, verbal, and performance IQ, as well as on all four indices ( p ≤0.001). The subtest profile indicated problems on all subtests, but especially on those related to arithmetic and visual–perceptual tasks. Interpretations Few studies have undertaken a comprehensive assessment of general cognitive outcome (IQ) among young adults of VLBW. Our results indicate that VLBW seems to have a global and lasting impact on cognitive ability. Full‐scale IQ assessment may reveal important learning problems in young adults of VLBW, and should be performed to inform appropriate assistance to enhance academic achievement and the chances of permanent employment as adults.