Neurodevelopmental status at 1 year predicts neuropsychiatric outcome at 14–15 years of age in very preterm infants

• Published in: Early human development Vol. 65; no. 2; pp. 81 - 89
• Main Authors: Roth, S, Wyatt, J, Baudin, J, Townsend, J, Rifkin, L, Rushe, T, Amiel-Tison, C, Stewart, A.L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.12.2001; New York,NY Elsevier; Amsterdam
• Subjects: Adolescent; Biological and medical sciences; Child Development - classification; Cognition Disorders - complications; Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; Cognition Disorders - epidemiology; Cohort Studies; Development. Senescence. Regeneration. Transplantation; Developmental Disabilities - complications; Developmental Disabilities - diagnosis; Developmental Disabilities - epidemiology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Male; Nervous System - growth & development; Neurodevelopmental status; Neuropsychiatric outcome; Neuropsychological Tests; Predictive Value of Tests; Preterm infants; United Kingdom - epidemiology; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Neuropsychiatric outcome; Neurodevelopmental status; Preterm infants; Human; Premature; Education; Central nervous system; Adolescent; Development; Infant; Cognition; Behavior; Motricity; Brain (vertebrata)
• DOI: 10.1016/S0378-3782(01)00173-6
• ISSN: 0378-3782

Background: Neurodevelopmental and behavioural problems have been repeatedly reported in very preterm survivors, often showing themselves later in childhood as poor school performance. Early identification of problems would mean that appropriate remedial therapy can be implemented. We have previously shown that neurodevelopmental status at 1 year was predictive of outcome at 8 years in a cohort of preterm infants. The aim of this paper was to see if neurodevelopmental outcome in adolescence could be predicted by assessment by 1 year in the same cohort of pretem infants. Study design: Prospective cohort study. Subjects: 150 adolescents, born before 33 weeks gestation. Outcome measures: Neurological examination, developmental quotient, vision and hearing by 1 year. At 14–15 years, neurological examination, school performance questionnaire, Schonnell test of reading age, a premorbid adjustment score, Rutter behavioural score and for those born from 1981, cognitive tests (WISC-R). Results: A highly significant relationship existed between neurological status by 1 year and the need for extra educational provision, overall neurodevelopmental status, cognitive function in those that had their IQs measured and premorbid adjustment score of prepsychotic symptoms in adolescence. However, status at 1 year was not predictive of adolescent reading age or behavioural score. Conclusions: Neurodevelopmental assessment at 1 year is predictive of school performance and outcome in the adolescent period.