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Brain development, intelligence and cognitive outcome in children born small for gestational age
H M A de Bie1, K J Oostrom, H A Delemarre-van de Waal
1Department of Pediatrics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. b.debie@vumc.nl
Hormone Research in Paediatrics
|March 2, 2010
Summary
Small for gestational age (SGA) infants face long-term health risks, including cognitive deficits. Growth hormone (GH) may impact brain development in these children, but research is limited and inconclusive.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) leads to infants born small for gestational age (SGA).
- SGA is linked to adverse neonatal outcomes and increased risks for chronic diseases and subtle cognitive impairments in adulthood.
- Structural brain alterations are observed in IUGR/SGA individuals, and growth hormone (GH) receptors are present in the brain, suggesting GH's potential neurobiological effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential impact of exogenous growth hormone (GH) on cognitive function in children born small for gestational age (SGA).
- To review existing evidence regarding the effects of GH on intelligence and cognition in SGA children.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating the effects of GH on cognitive outcomes in SGA children.
- Examination of the neurobiological basis for GH action in the brain, including the presence of GH receptors.
Main Results:
- Data on the effects of exogenous GH on intelligence and cognition in SGA children are scarce and yield contradictory findings.
- GH has demonstrated effects on cognition in GH-deficient adults, indicating its potential influence on the brain.
Conclusions:
- The role and efficacy of exogenous GH in improving cognitive function in SGA children remain uncertain due to limited and conflicting evidence.
- Further research is warranted to clarify the potential benefits of GH treatment on neurodevelopmental outcomes in SGA populations.
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