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Very preterm birth and foetal growth restriction are associated with specific cognitive deficits in children

Hanna Kallankari1, Tuula Kaukola, Päivi Olsén

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Department of Children and Adolescents, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|October 3, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Children born very preterm without impairments showed poorer cognitive skills. Foetal growth restriction (FGR) was a key risk factor, impacting language, memory, and learning abilities in these children.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Cognitive Psychology

Background:

  • Prematurity is a significant risk factor for neurodevelopmental challenges.
  • Understanding the long-term cognitive impact of being born very preterm is crucial for early intervention.
  • Identifying specific prenatal and neonatal factors associated with cognitive outcomes is essential for targeted support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between prenatal and neonatal factors and cognitive outcomes in schoolchildren born very preterm.
  • To assess cognitive performance at age nine in children born very preterm without apparent impairments.
  • To identify specific risk factors that may predict neurocognitive deficits in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective regional cohort study included very low gestational age (VLGA) children (<32 weeks) and term-born controls.
  • Cognitive outcomes were evaluated at age nine using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery.
  • The study analyzed the association of VLGA and fetal growth restriction (FGR) with various cognitive domains.

Main Results:

  • Very low gestational age (VLGA) children without impairments demonstrated reduced visuospatial-sensorimotor processing and attention-executive functions compared to term-born peers.
  • Fetal growth restriction (FGR) emerged as the sole clinical risk factor associated with poorer cognitive outcomes.
  • Children with FGR exhibited significant deficits in language, memory, and learning scores.

Conclusions:

  • Children born very preterm, even without diagnosed impairments, exhibit specific neurocognitive weaknesses.
  • Fetal growth restriction (FGR) independently predicts compromised neurocognitive outcomes in very low gestational age (VLGA) children.
  • Early identification of FGR is vital for addressing potential language, memory, and learning difficulties in preterm infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
Developmental outcomeIntrauterine growth restrictionNeurocognitive impairmentSmall for gestational ageVery premature infant

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