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[Handicaps in the perinatal period. I. Perinatal pathology and difficulties in school]
B Lacour1, R Cecchi Tenerini, J Fresson
1Inspection Régionale de la santé, DRASS de Lorraine, Nancy, France.
Insights
Perinatal events like preterm birth significantly increase school problem risks. Prevention during pregnancy is crucial, especially for high-risk groups, to mitigate these challenges.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Perinatal Medicine
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- Major disabilities are linked to perinatal events.
- The connection between perinatal factors and moderate issues like school problems requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between perinatal events and school difficulties in children.
- To identify specific perinatal risk factors associated with school problems.
Main Methods:
- A representative sample of 1,408 school-aged children born in Lorraine in 1984 was analyzed.
- Multivariate analysis compared 250 children with school problems to 602 controls without problems.
Main Results:
- 17.8% of 6-year-olds experienced school difficulties.
- Risk factors included parental education level, male gender, late-year birth, preterm delivery (OR=2.7), and small for gestational age (OR=2.5).
- Preterm delivery and intrauterine growth retardation explained 9.6% of school difficulties.
Conclusions:
- A clear link exists between perinatal events and school difficulties.
- Continued prenatal prevention is recommended, particularly for mothers with multiple risk factors.
Background:
Major handicaps are closely related to perinatal events. However, relationship of these events with other moderate disabilities such as school problems are still unclear.
Population And Methods:
A representative sample of 1,408 children at school age and born in Lorraine in 1984 was studied. Two hundred and fifty children with problems were compared with 602 controls without school problems, using a multivariate analysis.
Results:
The incidence of school difficulties among 6-year old children (in the last year of nursery school) is 17.8%. Children are at higher risk of school problems if their parents are not (odds ratio [OR] = 7.9) or are poor school graduate (OR = 2.7), if they are boys (OR = 2.0), if they are born at the end of the year (OR = 1.1) and also if they are preterm (OR = 2.7) or small for gestational age (OR = 2.5). Preterm delivery and intra-uterine growth retardation accounted for 9.6% of school difficulties.
Conclusion:
The relationship between perinatal events and school difficulties warrants to continue with prevention during pregnancy, especially among groups with multiple risk factors.