Intellectual psycho-educational and functional status of low birth weight survivors beyond 5 years of age

To determine the intellectual, psycho-educational and functional status of low birth weight (LBW) survivors (birth weight < or = 2000 gms) beyond 5 years of age and to compare their status with normal birth weight counterparts. This was cross-sectional study. On hospital based cohort on longitudinal follow-up at the High Risk and Well Baby Clinics of a teaching hospital. The demographic data of these children was recorded. A detailed physical examination was performed. The tests of cognition included the Stanford Binet and the Raven's Progressive Matrices. Academic achievement was evaluated by the Wide range achievement test-Revised (WRAT-R). Assessment of visuo motor integration was done by the Bender Gestalt Test. The proportion of children having soft neurological signs was determined. Vineland Social Maturity Scale was performed on all children. Fifty-nine LBW children and fifty-seven matched control children participated in the study. 27 of LBW children were examined at a mean age of 7.0 +/- 1.1 years (group I) and 32 were examined at a mean age of 10.6 +/- 1.2 years (group II). The LBW children as a group performed in the normal range on the tests of cognition and academic achievement, but were significantly disadvantaged (p < 0.005) as compared to controls. A higher percentage of LBW children had low scores on the Bender Gestalt. Test as compared to controls but the difference was not significant. A significantly higher proportion of LBW children of both the groups showed the presence of soft neurological signs as compared to controls. The social quotient as assessed by the vineland Social Maturity Scale was significantly lower in the LBW children as compared to controls. Thus, though the LBW children were performing in the normal range on various measures, comparison with the control group showed that they were clearly disadvantaged on nearly every measure tested, emphasizing the need for early detection and referral for special education.