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Published on: February 18, 2012
Longitudinal Growth and Neuropsychological Functioning at Age 7 in Moderate and Late Preterms
Baukje M Dotinga1, Milou S Eshuis2, Inger F Bocca-Tjeertes2
1Division of Neonatology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, and b.m.dotinga@umcg.nl.
Insights
Poor growth in preterm children is linked to lower neuropsychological functioning. Short stature and altered weight gain correlate with deficits in motor skills, IQ, and attention by age 7.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Neurodevelopmental Research
- Growth and Development Studies
Background:
- Preterm birth affects neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Longitudinal growth patterns in preterm infants require further investigation.
- Understanding growth-child development links is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between growth trajectories and neuropsychological functioning at age 7 in moderately and late preterm children.
- To identify specific growth measures linked to cognitive, motor, and attention outcomes.
- To determine the risk of impaired functioning associated with suboptimal growth.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, community-based cohort study design.
- Growth data collected from routine assessments until age 4 and at age 7.
- Neuropsychological functioning assessed at age 7, with analyses adjusted for maternal education.
Main Results:
- Short stature across all ages correlated with poorer motor, IQ, and attention scores.
- Lower weight at 1 and 4 years was linked to reduced IQ.
- Increased weight gain from 4 to 7 years was associated with poorer cognitive, motor, and attention scores.
- Decreased head circumference gain in the first year was linked to impaired motor and attention skills.
Conclusions:
- Poorer longitudinal growth in preterm children is associated with diminished neuropsychological functioning up to age 7.
- Short stature is a significant predictor of clinically relevant impairments in neuropsychological outcomes.
- Growth monitoring and early interventions are vital for optimizing neurodevelopment in preterm populations.
Objective:
To determine the association between longitudinal growth measures (height, weight, head circumference, and extent of catch-up growth) and neuropsychological functioning at 7 years in moderately and late preterm children.
Methods:
This study was part of a prospective, community-based cohort study. Data on growth were obtained from records on routine assessments in well-child centers until age 4 years and in a research setting at 7 years. Neuropsychological functioning was assessed at age 7 years. We assessed associations of growth with neuropsychological functioning and determined odds ratios for impaired neuropsychological functioning. All analyses were corrected for maternal education.
Results:
We included 234 children. Median gestational age was 34 weeks (P25-75: 33-35 weeks), and mean birth weight was 2.2 kg (± 0.5 kg). Short stature at all ages was associated with poorer motor, IQ, and attention scores and led to increased risks of impaired motor skills and low IQ. Lower weight at 1 and 4 years was associated with poorer IQ scores. Increased weight gain between age 4 and 7 years was, however, associated with poorer motor, IQ, and attention scores. Decreased head circumference gain in the first year of life was associated with poorer motor and attention scores and led to an increased risk of impaired motor and attention skills.
Conclusions:
In moderately and late preterm children, poorer growth in the first 7 years is associated with poorer neuropsychological functioning. Regarding height, short stature was also associated with a higher likelihood of clinically relevant impaired neuropsychological functioning.
