Neurodevelopmental pathways to preterm children's specific and general mathematic abilities

• Published in: Early human development Vol. 90; no. 10; pp. 639 - 644
• Main Authors: Jaekel, Julia, Bartmann, Peter, Schneider, Wolfgang, Wolke, Dieter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.10.2014
• Subjects: Advanced Basic Science; Child; Child Development - physiology; Cognition - physiology; Germany; Gestational age; Humans; Infant, Extremely Premature - physiology; Infant, Premature - physiology; Learning Disorders - diagnosis; Learning Disorders - etiology; Mathematic abilities; Models, Neurological; Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine; Neonatal risk; Neuropsychological Tests; Preterm; Prospective Studies; Socioeconomic Factors; Ventilation; Germany; Ventilation; Mathematic abilities; Neonatal risk; Gestational age; Preterm
• ISSN: 0378-3782; 1872-6232; 1872-6232
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2014.07.015

Preterm children have problems with mathematics but knowledge about the predictors of specific mathematic abilities in preterm populations is scarce. This study investigated neurodevelopmental pathways to children's general and specific mathematic abilities across the full gestational age range. Prospective geographically defined longitudinal investigation in Germany. 947 children across the full gestational age range (23–41 weeks). Outcome measures. At 8years, children's cognitive and mathematic abilities were measured and residuals of a regression predicting mathematic scores by IQ were used to identify specific mathematic abilities. Neurodevelopmental cascade models revealed that adverse effects of preterm birth on mathematic abilities were mediated by neonatal risk. Specific mathematic abilities were uniquely predicted by the duration of hospitalization and ventilation. Prolonged neonatal medical treatment and, in particular, mechanical ventilation may lead to specific impairments in mathematic tasks. These findings have implications for the mode of respiratory support in neonates, routine follow-up and intervention planning as well as research about brain reorganization after preterm birth.