Background <p>Preterm infants have a higher risk for low intelligence quotient (IQ) levels, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and verbal memory problems compared to full term infants. However, still there is limited evidence regarding the late preterm group, which accounts for the largest group of prematurely born children.</p> Objectives/aims <p>To compare IQ levels, ADHD symptoms, and verbal memory performance between children born late preterm and full-term.</p> Methods <p>A retrospective cohort study with prospective follow-up assessments, included 100 children who are 8–11 years old, 69 were born full term and 31 were born in the late preterm period, each child underwent evaluation by a specialized clinical psychologist, which included an IQ test, assessment for symptoms of ADHD and auditory memory problems.</p> Results <p>There was no significant difference between the two groups in general IQ scores, including verbal and performance scores (<i>p</i> = 0.13, 0.91, and 0.14 respectively). In the subtest analysis, the preterm group demonstrated lower performance in the Similarities subtest (<i>p</i> = 0.005, OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.37–0.84). There was no significant difference in Rey auditory verbal memory performance, <i>p</i>-value results ranged between 0.08 and 0.91. ADHD assessment questionnaires filled out by the parents and teachers showed no significant difference between the groups (<i>p</i> = 0.96, 0.47 respectively).</p> Conclusion <p>Our findings suggest that late preterm children have comparable IQ levels, ADHD symptoms, and verbal memory performance to those born at full term.</p>

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

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

  • Elias Nasrallah,
  • Jamil Andrawes,
  • Huzam Joubran,
  • Mervatte Shukha,
  • Nael Elias

摘要

Background

Preterm infants have a higher risk for low intelligence quotient (IQ) levels, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and verbal memory problems compared to full term infants. However, still there is limited evidence regarding the late preterm group, which accounts for the largest group of prematurely born children.

Objectives/aims

To compare IQ levels, ADHD symptoms, and verbal memory performance between children born late preterm and full-term.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study with prospective follow-up assessments, included 100 children who are 8–11 years old, 69 were born full term and 31 were born in the late preterm period, each child underwent evaluation by a specialized clinical psychologist, which included an IQ test, assessment for symptoms of ADHD and auditory memory problems.

Results

There was no significant difference between the two groups in general IQ scores, including verbal and performance scores (p = 0.13, 0.91, and 0.14 respectively). In the subtest analysis, the preterm group demonstrated lower performance in the Similarities subtest (p = 0.005, OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.37–0.84). There was no significant difference in Rey auditory verbal memory performance, p-value results ranged between 0.08 and 0.91. ADHD assessment questionnaires filled out by the parents and teachers showed no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.96, 0.47 respectively).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that late preterm children have comparable IQ levels, ADHD symptoms, and verbal memory performance to those born at full term.