Related Experiment Videos
Outcome at 8 years for children with birth weights of 1250 g or less
Insights
Children with very low birth weight (VLBW) often face learning and motor challenges. Early motor testing can predict later school difficulties in these vulnerable children.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Children born with very low birth weight (VLBW), defined as 1250 g or less, represent a vulnerable population requiring long-term monitoring.
- Longitudinal studies are crucial for understanding the developmental trajectories and educational outcomes of VLBW individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the educational, motor, and behavioral performance of 8-year-old children with VLBW.
- To compare the performance of VLBW children with their normal birth weight peers.
- To identify predictors of school-related difficulties in VLBW children.
Main Methods:
- A hospital-based cohort of 51 children aged 8 years with birth weights ≤1250 g was studied longitudinally.
- VLBW children were compared with age, race, and sex-matched classmates examined at school.
- Performance was evaluated using standardized tests for basic mathematics, spelling, reading, and motor impairment. Teacher and parent reports were also collected.
Main Results:
- VLBW children performed significantly worse on tests of basic mathematics, spelling, and motor impairment compared to controls.
- Reading performance was also poorer in the VLBW group.
- 45% of VLBW children experienced difficulties in one or more school subjects, compared to 19% of controls. 26% had difficulties in two or more areas, versus 5% of controls.
- While parent-reported behavioral problems were similar, teachers identified more emotional disorders and overactivity in VLBW children.
- Motor testing at age 6 accurately predicted multiple school problems at age 8 with high negative predictive value (98%).
Conclusions:
- Children born with VLBW without major impairments exhibit a high frequency of learning difficulties that become more pronounced with age.
- Early, detailed motor testing can effectively predict later academic and behavioral challenges in VLBW children.
- Intervention strategies should consider the long-term educational and developmental needs of VLBW survivors.
Abstract:
The educational, motor, and behavioural performance of a hospital based cohort of 51 children aged 8 years with birth weights of 1250 g or less is reported, as part of a longitudinal study. Compared with age, race and sex matched classmates, who were examined at school at the same visit, the very low birthweight (VLBW) group performed less well on the basic mathematics test A, the Schonell spelling test, and the test of motor impairment. Reading performance was also poorer in this group. Twenty three (45%) VLBW children were having difficulty with one or more school subjects compared with 11 (19%) controls, and 15 (26%) had difficulties in two or more areas, compared with three (5%) controls. Parents of VLBW children reported a similar frequency of behavioural problems to controls but teachers identified characteristics typical of emotional disorders and overactivity more frequently among the VLBW group. Motor testing at 6 years of age was the best predictor of school problems at 8 years, correctly identifying 15/16 children with multiple problems with a low (33%) positive predictive value but a high (98%) negative predictive value. Children with birth weights of 1250 g or less and no major impairment have a high frequency of learning difficulties that become more apparent with advancing age. Such problems may be predicted at an earlier age by detailed motor testing.