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Head Growth and Intelligence from Birth to Adulthood in Very Preterm and Term Born Individuals

Julia Jaekel1, Christian Sorg2, Josef Baeuml2

  • 11Department of Child and Family Studies,University of Tennessee,Knoxville,Tennessee.

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS
|November 15, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Head growth in infants, including those born very preterm or with very low birth weight, is a strong predictor of intelligence throughout life. Early head circumference measurements can help identify neurocognitive risks.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Infant head growth is a key indicator of brain development.
  • Understanding the long-term impact of early head size on cognitive function is crucial, especially for vulnerable populations like very preterm (VP) and very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between infant and toddler head growth and intelligence scores from early childhood to adulthood.
  • To determine if head growth serves as a proxy for brain development and intelligence in both VP/VLBW and term-born individuals.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study followed 203 VP/VLBW infants and 198 term-born controls from birth to adulthood (Bavarian Longitudinal Study).
  • Head circumference was measured at birth, 5 and 20 months, and 4 years.
  • Intelligence was assessed using standardized tests in childhood (K-ABC) and adulthood (WAIS), analyzed with structural equation modeling (SEM).

Main Results:

  • VP/VLBW individuals had smaller head circumference at birth and lower adult intelligence scores compared to term-born individuals.
  • Head circumference at birth and head growth during childhood significantly predicted intelligence development up to adulthood in both groups.
  • The influence of gestational age and birth weight on intelligence was fully mediated by head circumference and growth.

Conclusions:

  • Head growth is a reliable proxy for brain development and intelligence across the lifespan.
  • Regular assessment of early head circumference provides valuable information for screening long-term neurocognitive risks.
  • This study highlights the importance of monitoring head growth for predicting cognitive outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
Birth weightBrain developmentEarly childhoodGestational ageProspective longitudinal studyRECAP pretermWechsler Adult Intelligence Scale

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