Cognitive functioning, verbal memory performance, and ADHD-related symptoms in late-preterm children

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Preterm birth is associated with increased risks for cognitive and behavioral issues.
• Late preterm infants constitute the largest proportion of premature births.
• Limited research exists on the long-term outcomes of late preterm children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare intelligence quotient (IQ) levels between children born late preterm and full-term.
• To assess attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in late preterm versus full-term children.
• To evaluate verbal memory performance in late preterm and full-term born children.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study included 100 children aged 8-11 years (31 late preterm, 69 full-term).
• Participants underwent psychological evaluations including IQ testing and ADHD symptom assessment.
• Auditory verbal memory was assessed using standardized tests.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found in general IQ, verbal IQ, or performance IQ between the groups.
• The late preterm group showed lower performance on the Similarities subtest.
• Rey auditory verbal memory performance and ADHD symptoms did not significantly differ between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Late preterm children exhibit comparable overall IQ, ADHD symptom profiles, and verbal memory to their full-term peers.
• Cognitive and behavioral outcomes appear similar for late preterm and full-term born children.
• These findings suggest neurodevelopmental outcomes are not significantly impacted by late preterm birth.