[Long-term cognitive dysfunctions in preterm subjects with intraventricular haemorrhage]

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in the neonatal period has been associated to developmental impairment or delay in preterm born children and adolescents. To our knowledge there is no study in literature which describes the effects of neonatal IVH in preterm subjects on different specific cognitive functions in adolescent samples. AIM. To explore general as well as specific cognitive performance in preterm adolescents with neonatal IVH, through a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment.

Sixteen preterm born adolescents with IVH in the newborn period and thirty matched controls were recruited for neuropsychological testing. The intelligence quotient, learning, memory, visuospatial and visuoperceptive abilities, and frontal functions were evaluated.

Significant differences were observed for full and performance intelligence quotient, as well as for several specific cognitive functions. After controlling for full intelligence quotient, and compared with preterm adolescents without IVH, differences remained significant for verbal learning and verbal memory. Subjects with IVH grades III-IV scored significantly lower than those with IVH grades I-II in verbal learning, everyday memory and visuoconstructive and visuospatial abilities.

The present study suggests that long-term difficulties are evident for general cognitive performance as well as for specific cognitive abilities in preterm subjects with IVH in the newborn period. These data could explain the academic problems shown by these individuals and may suggest concrete intervention programs to minimize the effects of such deficits.