Six-year follow-up of children with intrauterine growth retardation: long-term, prospective study

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
• Child Psychology

Background:

• Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) affects fetal development, potentially leading to long-term health and cognitive issues.
• Characterizing specific neurodevelopmental and cognitive deficits in IUGR children is crucial for early intervention.
• Identifying early clinical predictors can improve outcomes for children with IUGR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the neurodevelopmental and cognitive difficulties in children with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).
• To identify early clinical predictors of these neurodevelopmental and cognitive difficulties.
• To compare outcomes between IUGR children with and without neonatal complications and those diagnosed prenatally versus at birth.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 81 children with IUGR followed to 6-7 years of age.
• Utilized biometric parameters, perinatal risk questionnaires, and detailed neurodevelopmental/cognitive assessments.
• Compared IUGR children to 41 age-matched, appropriate-for-gestational-age controls.

Main Results:

• Children with IUGR exhibited significant differences in growth, neurodevelopmental scores, and IQ compared to controls.
• A distinct profile of difficulties in coordination, spatial skills, and graphomotor abilities was observed in IUGR children.
• Neonatal risk score and 6-year weight/height were significant predictors of neurodevelopmental outcome.

Conclusions:

• Children with IUGR present a specific pattern of neurodevelopmental disabilities in preschool years.
• Early diagnosis and intervention strategies are likely effective in mitigating these challenges.
• Prenatal diagnosis did not negatively impact neurodevelopmental or IQ scores, possibly due to enhanced perinatal care.