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Cognitive Development Trajectories in Preterm Children With Very Low Birth Weight Longitudinally Followed Until 11

Sofia Ryytty Stålnacke1, Mesfin Tessma2, Birgitta Böhm1

  • 1Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Frontiers in Physiology
|April 20, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Cognitive function in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants remained stable from 18 months to 11 years. Factors like prematurity complications and parental education influenced cognitive development in these preterm children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Very low birthweight (VLBW) infants exhibit a high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction.
  • Longitudinal characterization is crucial for understanding long-term risk factors in preterm children's cognitive development.
  • Follow-up evaluations are essential for identifying risks and resilience factors to promote cognitive abilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine changes in cognitive development from birth until 11 years of age in preterm children with very low birthweight.
  • To identify factors influencing cognitive trajectories in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • 24 very low birthweight (VLBW) infants were assessed at 18 months, 5 years, and 11 years using standardized cognitive tests.
  • Longitudinal data were analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) models.
  • A 100% follow-up rate was achieved.

Main Results:

  • Cognitive functioning levels at 18 months and 11 years were similar.
  • Female VLBW infants consistently showed higher cognitive scores than males.
  • Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and prolonged invasive ventilation (>7 days) negatively impacted cognitive function.
  • Higher parental education was associated with favorable cognitive development over time.

Conclusions:

  • Cognitive development at 18 months strongly predicted cognitive function at 11 years in VLBW infants.
  • Gender-based differences in cognitive scores persisted throughout childhood.
  • Further longitudinal studies are needed to fully understand cognitive trajectories in preterm children.

Keywords:
academic achievementscognitive stabilitydevelopmentmedical complicationspreterm (birth)

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