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Gestational age and socio-demographic factors associated with school performance at the age of 12 years, a

Renée J Burger1,2, Tessa J Roseboom1,2, Wessel Ganzevoort1,2

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology
|June 1, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Higher gestational age is linked to better school performance up to 40 weeks. Children born preterm, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, face increased risks for lower academic achievement.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Gestational age positively correlates with cognitive development.
  • Socio-demographic factors significantly influence school performance.
  • Prematurity may pose increased risks for children with low socioeconomic status (SES).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between gestational age, socio-demographic characteristics, and school performance at age 12.
  • To explore potential interactions between gestational age and socio-demographic factors on school outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Population-based cohort study of 860,332 liveborn singletons in the Netherlands (1999-2006).
  • Analysis of school performance data from 2011 to 2019.
  • Regression analyses to assess associations and interactions.

Main Results:

  • School performance increased with gestational age up to 40 weeks.
  • Preterm birth (25 weeks) was associated with significantly lower school performance z-scores and secondary school level compared to 40 weeks.
  • Low maternal education, low maternal age, non-European origin, later birth order, and low SES were associated with lower school performance.
  • Evidence of interaction: preterm children from disadvantaged backgrounds (low education, low/high maternal age, low SES, later birth order) were at higher risk.

Conclusions:

  • Higher gestational age is associated with better school performance across the entire gestational age spectrum.
  • Children in socially or economically disadvantaged situations may be more vulnerable to the adverse effects of preterm birth.
  • Maternal education, maternal age, ethnicity, birth order, and SES are crucial factors influencing school performance.
Abstract

Keywords:
academic performanceeducationgestational agepregnancy complicationspreterm birthsocio-economic status

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