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Cognition, academic progress, behavior and self-concept at 14 years of very low birth weight children

A L Rickards1, E A Kelly, L W Doyle

  • 1Division of Newborn Services, the Royal Women's Hospital, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.

Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics : JDBP
|March 27, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Children born with very low birth weight (VLBW) face significant challenges in cognition, academics, and behavior. These VLBW individuals also exhibit lower self-esteem compared to normal birth weight peers.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Neuroscience
  • Child Psychology

Background:

  • Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are at risk for developmental challenges.
  • Long-term outcomes for VLBW individuals require continued investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare cognitive function, academic achievement, behavior, and self-concept in VLBW children versus normal birth weight (NBW) children at age 14.
  • To identify specific areas of deficit in VLBW individuals.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study comparing 130 VLBW children (birth weight < 1501 g) with 42 NBW control children (birth weight > 2,499 g) at 14 years of age.
  • Cognitive assessment using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 3rd Edition.
  • Evaluation of academic progress, behavior (teacher and parent ratings), and self-esteem.

Main Results:

  • VLBW children scored significantly lower on all major cognitive scales and specific processes like visual processing, memory, learning, and problem-solving.
  • Academic differences were noted in arithmetic; VLBW children experienced more social rejection and learning problems.
  • VLBW children reported significantly lower self-esteem.

Conclusions:

  • VLBW children exhibit persistent cognitive, academic, and behavioral deficits at age 14.
  • Lower self-esteem is a significant issue for VLBW individuals.
  • Early birth weight is a critical factor influencing long-term child development and well-being.

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