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Non-right handedness among ELBW and term children at eight years in relation to cognitive function and school
S Saigal1, P Rosenbaum, P Szatmari
1Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.
Insights
Extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) children show higher non-right handedness, linked to neurological issues. However, non-right handedness in ELBW children did not correlate with cognitive or school performance deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Non-right handedness is associated with various neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) infants face higher risks for neurological and developmental challenges.
- Understanding the link between birth weight, handedness, and neurodevelopment is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between handedness and neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) children.
- To examine associations between non-right handedness, neurological deficits, cognitive function, and school performance in ELBW children compared to term controls.
- To test the hypothesis that early brain insults in ELBW children lead to subtle cognitive deficits and school difficulties in non-right handed individuals.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study comparing 114 extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) children with 145 term-born controls at eight years of age.
- Assessment of handedness (right, left, mixed) and neurological status.
- Evaluation of cognitive function, school performance, and prevalence of learning difficulties using standardized tests.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of non-right handedness was significantly higher in ELBW children (31%) compared to term controls (19%).
- ELBW children with diagnosed neurological impairments were significantly more likely to exhibit non-right handedness.
- No significant differences were found in cognitive function, school performance, or learning difficulties between right-handed and non-right handed ELBW children or controls.
Conclusions:
- Neurological impairment in ELBW children is associated with a higher prevalence of non-right handedness.
- The study does not support the hypothesis that early brain injury in ELBW children leads to subtle cognitive deficits or poorer school performance specifically in non-right handed individuals.
- Handedness alone, without other neurological deficits, may not be a reliable indicator of cognitive or academic challenges in ELBW survivors.
Abstract:
The relationship between handedness, neurological and cognitive deficits, and school difficulties was investigated in 114 extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) children and 145 term controls at eight years. The prevalence of non-right handedness (left and mixed) was 31 per cent for ELBW children and 19 per cent for controls. ELBW children with neurological impairments were significantly more likely to be non-right handed. No significant differences were noted between right-handed and non-right handed ELBW children and controls on tests of cognitive function, school performance and prevalence of learning difficulties. These findings suggest an association between neurological impairment and non-right handedness, but do not support the hypothesis of early brain insult resulting in subtle cognitive deficits and suboptimal school performance among non-right handed ELBW children.