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Neurodevelopmental pathways to preterm children's specific and general mathematic abilities

Julia Jaekel1, Peter Bartmann2, Wolfgang Schneider3

  • 1Department of Developmental Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.

Early Human Development
|September 1, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Preterm birth can impact children's math skills. Prolonged hospital stays and mechanical ventilation (MV) are linked to specific math difficulties in preterm children.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Preterm children often exhibit mathematical deficits.
  • Predictors of specific mathematical abilities in preterm populations are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate neurodevelopmental pathways to general and specific mathematical abilities.
  • Examine the full gestational age range in preterm children.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal, population-based study in Germany.
  • Included 947 children (23-41 weeks gestational age).
  • Assessed cognitive and mathematical abilities at 8 years; specific abilities identified using IQ-adjusted residuals.

Main Results:

  • Neurodevelopmental models showed neonatal risk mediates preterm birth effects on mathematical abilities.
  • Duration of hospitalization and mechanical ventilation uniquely predicted specific mathematical abilities.

Conclusions:

  • Extended neonatal medical care, especially mechanical ventilation, may cause specific mathematical impairments.
  • Findings inform respiratory support strategies, follow-up care, and research on brain reorganization post-preterm birth.
Abstract

Keywords:
Gestational ageMathematic abilitiesNeonatal riskPretermVentilation

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