THE
COGNITIVE OUTCOME OF INFANTS LESS THAN 1500 GR BIRTHWEIGHT
Tsekoura
Th1, Theodoraki Maria1, Tsilimigkaki A1, Tsakiri S1, Sxoinaki A1, Stefanaki
S1, Tzanakis N2
Perikleous
4, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Objective: The aim of the study
was to compare the cognitive function of preterm infants of birth weight
less than 1500 gram and full-term infants of more than 2500 grams birth
weight.
Methods: The study group
included 16 infants born premature, with birth weight of 1500 grams or
less, whereas the control group included 12 infants born at term, with
birth weight of 2500grams or more. We excluded infants with a clinical
diagnosis of neuromotor and neurosensory disability. The mean age at first
examination of cognitive function was 28 months for the study group and 29
months for the control group. The two groups did not differ in terms of
socioeconomic status or other family characteristics. All infants were
assessed with Griffiths’ Mental Developmental Scales. We compared
the scores of the two groups with unpaired student’s t-test. The
results are expressed as mean value + standard deviation (mean + SD).
Results: The General Quotient
was significantly lower (p<0.0001) in the study group (92.75 + 5.66)
compared to the control group (107.25 + 5.84). The Locomotor Sub-Quotient
was significantly lower (p=0.0002) in the study group (95 + 7.46) compared
to the control group (110.66 + 12.47). The Personal-Social Sub-Quotient was
significantly lower (p<0.0001) in the study group (90.25 + 5.28) compared
to the control group (102.25 + 6.13). The Hearing-Speech Sub-Quotient was
significantly lower (p<0.0001) in the study group (89.81 + 7.71)
compared to the control group (111.16 + 10.72). The Eye-Hand Coordination
Sub-Quotient was significantly lower (p<0.0001) in the study group
(90.12 + 6.64) compared to the control group (105 + 9.69). The Performance
Sub-Quotient was significantly lower (p=0.0002) in the study group (95.12 +
7.46) compared to the control group (110.66 + 12.47).
Conclusions: According to our
results low birth weight of 1500 grams or less correlates with increased
risk for borderline cognitive dysfunction at 24-36 months of age.
Developmental follow up of all preterm neonates is of paramount importance
for early recognition and intervention in cases of cognitive impairment.