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Born Small for Gestational Age and Poor School Performance - How Small Is Too Small?
Linda Lindström1, Anna-Karin Wikström2,3, Eva Bergman1
1Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Hormone Research in Paediatrics
|July 12, 2017
Summary
Children born small for gestational age (SGA) face a higher risk of poor school performance, with the risk escalating with SGA severity. Adult stature may influence this association.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- Small for gestational age (SGA) is a condition where infants are born smaller than expected for their gestational age.
- SGA is associated with various short- and long-term health risks, including potential developmental and academic challenges.
- Understanding the long-term academic consequences of SGA is crucial for early intervention and support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between the severity of small for gestational age (SGA) and the likelihood of poor school performance.
- To investigate if adult stature modifies the relationship between SGA and school performance.
Main Methods:
- A large cohort study of 1,088,980 Swedish children born at term (1973-1988).
- Children were categorized into SGA severity groups (severe, moderate, mild) based on birth weight standard deviations.
- Poor school performance was defined as grades in the bottom 10th percentile at compulsory school graduation; logistic regression models were used for analysis, adjusting for socio-economic factors and adult stature in sub-analyses.
Main Results:
- All small for gestational age (SGA) groups demonstrated a significantly increased risk of poor school performance compared to appropriate for gestational age peers.
- Adjusted odds ratios for poor school performance ranged from 1.85 for severe SGA to 1.25 for mild SGA.
- In boys, short adult stature was associated with a higher risk of poor school performance across all birth weight groups.
Conclusions:
- A significant association exists between mild small for gestational age (SGA) and increased risk of poor school performance, with risk increasing with SGA severity.
- The findings suggest that SGA, even in its milder forms, can impact academic outcomes.
- Adult stature appears to be a modifying factor in the relationship between SGA and school performance, particularly in boys.
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