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Cognitive outcome of very-low-birthweight infants at 6 years of age

Toshimitsu Takayanagi1, Masanori Egashira, Tomona Yamaguchi

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, National Hospital Organization, Saga National Hospital, Saga, Japan.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|June 15, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Extremely low-birthweight infants show lower cognitive function at age 6 compared to very low-birthweight infants. Factors like head circumference and dexamethasone use during NICU stays impact cognitive outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Cognitive function in preterm infants is a significant concern.
  • Understanding factors influencing cognitive development in very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBWI) is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize cognitive function at 6 years of age in VLBWI.
  • To identify neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission factors affecting cognitive outcomes in this population.

Main Methods:

  • 189 VLBWI were assessed at 6 years using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III).
  • Infants were categorized into extremely low-birthweight (EL, <1000g) and very low-birthweight (VL, 1000-1499g) groups.
  • Regression analyses explored relationships between cognitive scores and NICU clinical variables.

Main Results:

  • EL infants had significantly lower full-scale IQ (FIQ) (85.3 ± 13.4) than VL infants (91.8 ± 9.7).
  • Verbal and performance IQ scores were also lower in EL infants.
  • FIQ correlated significantly with head circumference (HC) and dexamethasone exposure.

Conclusions:

  • EL infants exhibit inferior intelligence quotients and greater cognitive variability compared to VL infants.
  • Cognitive function imbalances were common in both groups.
  • Intrauterine growth restriction and dexamethasone treatment may negatively impact long-term cognitive development.
Abstract

Keywords:
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children version 3cognitive index at 6 years oldvery-low-birthweight infant

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