PEDIATRICS Vol. 92 No. 5 November 1993, pp. 658-665
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Weisglas-Kuperus, N.
Right arrow Articles by Sauer, P. J.J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Weisglas-Kuperus, N.
Right arrow Articles by Sauer, P. J.J.

Effects of Biological and Social Factors on the Cognitive Development of Very Low Birth Weight Children

Nynke Weisglas-Kuperus MD, PhD1, Wim Baerts MD, PhD1, Mila Smrkovsky PhD2, and Pieter J.J. Sauer MD, PhD1

1 From the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Sophia Children's Hospital and Erasmus University, Rotterdam
2 From the Department of Special Education, Groningen University, Groningen, The Netherlands

Objective. To investigate the effects of biological and social factors on the cognitive development of very low birth weight children, a longitudinal follow-up study was conducted from birth to 3.6 years of age.

Methodology. The study group consisted of a cohort of 79 surviving high-risk, very low birth weight infants. Neonatal cerebral ultrasonographic findings and a neurological score were used as indicators of biological risk. A sociodemographic risk score and the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment inventory were used as indicators of social risk. Cognitive development was assessed at ages 1 and 2 years by the Mental scale of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and at age 3.6 years by the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children.

Results. The mean mental index at 1 year of age was 96 (SD 19), at 2 years of age 86 (SD 26), and at 3.6 years of age for intelligence 87 (SD 13) and for achievement 86 (SD 14). In a stepwise multiple regression analysis of biological as well as social factors, the neurological score alone was the best predictor for cognitive development at 1 year of age, explaining 46% of the variance. From 2 years of age onward, the best predictors for cognitive development were the neurological score together with the home environment, explaining 46% of the variance for the Mental Developmental Index at age 2, 34% for intelligence, and 56% for achievement at age 3.6.

Conclusions. Children at high biological risk were able to catch up on their cognitive delay in a highly stimulating home environment. Children at low as well as high biological risk in a less stimulating home environment showed a decline in cognitive development. For these children, early intervention programs might be important in the prevention of cognitive disabilities.

Key Words: very low birth weight • cognitive development • neonatal cerebral ultrasonography • neurology • sociodemographic risk • home environment

Submitted on March 16, 1992
Accepted on April 30, 1993




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 PediatricsHome page
A. Fily, V. Pierrat, V. Delporte, G. Breart, P. Truffert, and on behalf of the EPIPAGE Nord-Pas-de-Calais Study
Factors Associated With Neurodevelopmental Outcome at 2 Years After Very Preterm Birth: The Population-Based Nord-Pas-de-Calais EPIPAGE Cohort
Pediatrics, February 1, 2006; 117(2): 357 - 366.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
Follow-up Care of High-Risk Infants
Pediatrics, November 1, 2004; 114(5/S1): 1377 - 1397.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed.Home page
M Monset-Couchard, O de Bethmann, and J-P Relier
Long term outcome of small versus appropriate size for gestational age co-twins/triplets
Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed., July 1, 2004; 89(4): F310 - F314.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
H. W. Kilbride, K. Thorstad, and D. K. Daily
Preschool Outcome of Less Than 801-Gram Preterm Infants Compared With Full-Term Siblings
Pediatrics, April 1, 2004; 113(4): 742 - 747.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
B. R. Vohr, W. C. Allan, M. Westerveld, K. C. Schneider, K. H. Katz, R. W. Makuch, and L. R. Ment
School-Age Outcomes of Very Low Birth Weight Infants in the Indomethacin Intraventricular Hemorrhage Prevention Trial
Pediatrics, April 1, 2003; 111(4): e340 - 346.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 BrainHome page
C. Nosarti, M. H. S. Al-Asady, S. Frangou, A. L. Stewart, L. Rifkin, and R. M. Murray
Adolescents who were born very preterm have decreased brain volumes
Brain, July 1, 2002; 125(7): 1616 - 1623.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
R. Feldman, A. I. Eidelman, L. Sirota, and A. Weller
Comparison of Skin-to-Skin (Kangaroo) and Traditional Care: Parenting Outcomes and Preterm Infant Development
Pediatrics, July 1, 2002; 110(1): 16 - 26.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
L. Strathearn, P. H. Gray, and D. O. Wood
Childhood Neglect and Cognitive Development in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants: A Prospective Study
Pediatrics, July 1, 2001; 108(1): 142 - 151.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Pediatr PsycholHome page
P. J. Miceli, M. C. Goeke-Morey, T. L. Whitman, K. S. Kolberg, C. Miller-Loncar, and R. D. White
Brief Report : Birth Status, Medical Complications, and Social Environment : Individual Differences in Development of Preterm, Very Low Birth Weight Infants
J. Pediatr. Psychol., July 1, 2000; 25(5): 353 - 358.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
B. R. Vohr, L. L. Wright, A. M. Dusick, L. Mele, J. Verter, J. J. Steichen, N. P. Simon, D. C. Wilson, S. Broyles, C. R. Bauer, et al.
Neurodevelopmental and Functional Outcomes of Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network, 1993-1994
Pediatrics, June 1, 2000; 105(6): 1216 - 1226.
[Abstract] [Full Text]