Neurocognitive outcome in young adults born late-preterm

Kati Heinonen, Jari Lahti, Sara Sammallahti, Dieter Wolke, Aulikki Lano, Sture Andersson, Anu Katriina Pesonen, Johan G. Eriksson, Eero Kajantie, Katri Raikkonen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aim: This study examined whether late-preterm birth (34+0 to 36+6wks+d gestational age) was associated with neurocognitive deficit in young adulthood, and whether small for gestational age (SGA) birth amplified any adversity. Method: Participants derived from the prospective regional cohort study, the Arvo Ylppö Longitudinal Study (n=786; 398 females, 388 males) (mean age 25y 4mo, SD 8mo), born 1985 to 1986 late-preterm (n=119; 21 SGA, <−2 SD) and at term (37+0 to 41+6wks+d; n=667; 28 SGA) underwent tests of intelligence, executive functioning, attention, and memory, and reported their education. Results: Those born late-preterm scored −3.71 (95% confidence interval [CI] −6.71 to −0.72) and −3.11 (95% CI −6.01 to −0.22) points lower on Full-scale and Verbal IQ than peers born at term. Compared with those born at term and appropriate for gestational age (≥−2 to <2 SD) Full-scale, Verbal, and Performance IQ scores of those born late-preterm and SGA were −9.45 to −11.84 points lower. After adjustments, differences were rendered non-significant, except that scores in Full-scale and Performance IQ remained lower among those born late-preterm and SGA. Interpretation: Late-preterm birth, per se, may not increase the risk of poorer neurocognitive functioning in adulthood. But the double burden of being born late-preterm and SGA seems to increase this risk. What this paper adds: Late-preterm birth did not increase the risk of poorer neurocognitive functioning in adulthood. But the double burden of being born late-preterm and being small for gestational age did increase this risk.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)267-274
Number of pages8
JournalDevelopmental Medicine and Child Neurology
Volume60
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2018
Externally publishedYes
Publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Clinical Neurology

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