Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs
08:58

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs

Published on: October 31, 2025

Cognitive development at 5.5 years of children with chronic lung disease of prematurity

B Böhm1, M Katz-Salamon

  • 1Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|February 25, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Children born very preterm with severe chronic lung disease (CLD) show lasting cognitive and visual-motor deficits at school age. Early intervention programs are recommended for these high-risk infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Pediatric Neurology

Background:

  • Infants born prematurely with chronic lung disease (CLD) exhibit developmental impairments.
  • Previous studies indicated deficits in cognitive development and eye-hand coordination at 10 months of age.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if the effects of CLD on development persist until school age.
  • To investigate the impact of CLD severity on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Cognitive abilities and visual-motor skills were assessed in 60 very preterm children at 5.5 years of age.
  • Participants included 32 children with CLD and 28 controls, excluding those with intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leucomalacia.
  • Standardized tests included the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence and the Nepsy scale.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in overall cognitive outcomes were observed between children with CLD and controls.
  • Children with severe CLD (Grade III) demonstrated significantly lower performance IQ, full-scale IQ, and visual-motor skills compared to controls.
  • CLD severity and the need for corrective lenses were significant predictors of cognitive and visual-motor performance.

Conclusions:

  • Very preterm children with severe CLD experience persistent deficits in cognition and visual-motor skills into school age.
  • These findings highlight the need for targeted intervention programs for preterm infants with severe CLD.
  • Neurodevelopmental monitoring and support are crucial for this vulnerable population.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development01:14

Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development

The sensorimotor stage, the initial phase of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, spans the first two years of a child's life. During this period, infants actively engage with their surroundings, building cognitive awareness through direct interaction with the world. This interaction is primarily based on sensory perception and motor actions, allowing infants to gradually understand basic physical properties and predict how objects interact within their environment.
Exploration...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD is defined as a heterogeneous lung condition marked by persistent respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and sputum production, caused by abnormalities in the airways that cause airflow obstruction.
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction01:23

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common, preventable, and treatable respiratory disorder characterized by persistent symptoms and progressive airflow limitation. This limitation results from a combination of small-airway disease (obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema), both driven by chronic inflammation from exposure to harmful particles or gases.The disease includes two main pathological entities: emphysema, marked by destruction of alveolar walls and...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction01:20

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-lasting respiratory condition requiring continuous attention and care. It is a progressive lung disease that leads to breathing challenges due to airflow obstruction. It manifests as persistent respiratory symptoms and restricted airflow resulting from abnormalities in the airways and alveoli, usually due to long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases. COPD mainly consists of two primary conditions: emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Information Processing Approach01:30

Information Processing Approach

The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies01:27

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies

Assessing and diagnosing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) involves a detailed approach that includes a comprehensive review of medical history, physical examination, and a variety of diagnostic tests. This thorough evaluation is essential to ensure an accurate diagnosis and guide effective management strategies.
Medical History