Article

The aim of this study was to assess the cognitive level and
neuropsychological performance at 5 years of age in children with a very low
birthweight (VLBW; birthweight <1501 g) born in 2001 to 2003. METHOD: A regional
cohort of 97 children with a VLBW (mean gestational age 28 wks [SD 3 wks]; mean
birthweight 1054 g [SD 259 g]; 50 male; 47 female) and a comparison group of 161
healthy children born at term (mean gestational age 40 wks [SD 1 wks]; mean
birthweight 3644 g [SD 446 g]; 80 male; 81 female) were included in this study.
At 5 years of age (SD 2 mo) cognitive level was assessed with the Wechsler
Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence - revised and neuropsychological
performance was assessed using NEPSY II. RESULTS: The mean intelligence of the
VLBW group corresponded to the normative mean of 100 but was lower than the mean
of the low-risk comparison group (p<0.001). Neuropsychological performance was
also significantly poorer than that of the comparison group. In NEPSY II, 25% of
the VLBW group had a significantly impaired performance in one of 11 subtests and
33% had a significantly impaired performance in more than one, while 19% of the
comparison group had a significantly impaired performance in one subtest and 10%
had a significantly impaired performance in more than one. INTERPRETATION: The
mean cognitive capacity of the VLBW cohort corresponded to the normative mean.
However, assessments of cognitive level only at preschool age do not provide the
information on neuropsychological deficit that is necessary for planning adequate
educational support.
CI - (c) The Authors. Journal compilation (c) Mac Keith Press 2010.

Langue : ANGLAIS