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Spatial working memory deficits in children at ages 3-4 who were low birth weight, preterm infants

Stefano Vicari1, Barbara Caravale, Giovanni Augusto Carlesimo

  • 1Servizio di Neurologia e Riabilitazione, Istituto di Recovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy. vicari@opbg.net.

Neuropsychology
|October 28, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Preschoolers born preterm with normal development may struggle with sustained attention and spatial memory. These findings highlight specific cognitive challenges in preterm children, even without major neurological issues.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Preterm birth and low birth weight are associated with cognitive deficits.
  • However, cognitive abilities in preterm children without major neurological impairments require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate attention, perceptual, and spatial working memory in preterm preschool children.
  • To compare these abilities with typically developing children matched for IQ and age.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluated 19 preterm and 19 typically developing children aged 3-4.
  • Assessed sustained attention, visuospatial processing, and spatial working memory.
  • Ensured participants had normal cerebral ultrasound and motor development.

Main Results:

  • Preterm children showed specific difficulties in sustained attention.
  • Visuospatial processing and spatial working memory were also impaired in the preterm group.
  • These deficits were observed despite normal cognitive levels and absence of major neurological deficits.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm children, even without evident brain disorders, may exhibit specific cognitive challenges.
  • Difficulties in sustained attention and spatial working memory are relevant for understanding cognitive development in this population.
  • Findings suggest a need for targeted early interventions for preterm infants.

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