NEURODEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES OF MODERATE/LATE PRETERM INFANTS AT 11-12 YEARS OF AGE

Background: We aimed to investigate the neurodevelopmental outcomes and school success of 11- to 12-year-old children born as moderate/late preterm infants and identify risk factors affecting prognosis.

Methods: Moderate/late preterm infants followed in the neonatal intensive care unit between January 2004 and December 2004 were included, and the children were examined again in our pediatrics outpatient clinic in 2016. Perinatal and neonatal histories were obtained from the hospital database. Physical growth characteristics were interpreted. Neurodevelopment was evaluated using the revised Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R). The Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) was also applied. The effect of socioeconomic level on neurodevelopmental outcome was examined. School performance was evaluated using report card grades.

Results: Forty-one children with a mean age of 11.6 years were evaluated. Risk factors associated with physical growth outcomes were maternal age of >35 years, fetal distress, and patent ductus arteriosus. Sepsis was associated with a decrease in verbal intelligence while periventricular leukomalacia had negative effects on both verbal and performance intelligence. Socioeconomic level showed a medium correlation with performance and full-scale intelligence. The intelligence quotients of the children with positive PSC scores were significantly lower.

Conclusions: Moderate/late preterm infants lag both neurologically and developmentally due to incomplete maturation of the brain and natal problems. Similarly, to early preterm infants, these children should be monitored for extended periods, and family support, rehabilitation, and special education needs should be met.