A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Intellectual disability in children aged less than seven years born moderately and late preterm compared with very preterm and term-born children - a nationwide birth cohort study




AuthorsHirvonen M, Ojala R, Korhonen P, Haataja P, Eriksson K, Rantanen K, Gissler M, Luukkaala T, Tammela O

PublisherWILEY

Publication year2017

JournalJournal of Intellectual Disability Research

Journal name in sourceJOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH

Journal acronymJ INTELL DISABIL RES

Volume61

Issue11

First page 1034

Last page1054

Number of pages21

ISSN0964-2633

eISSN1365-2788

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12394


Abstract
BackgroundPrematurity has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of intellectual disability (ID).MethodThe aim was to establish whether the prevalence of ID, defined as significant limitations in both intellectual (intelligence quotient below 70) and adaptive functioning among moderately preterm (MP; 32(+0)-33(+6)weeks) and late preterm (LP; 34(+0)-36(+6)weeks) infants, is increased compared with that in term infants (37(+0)weeks). Antenatal and neonatal risk factors for ID among gestational age groups were sought. The national register study included all live-born infants in Finland in 1991-2008, excluding those who died before one year age, or had any major congenital anomaly or missing data. A total of 1018256 infants (98.0%) were analysed: very preterm (VP; <32(+0)weeks, n=6329), MP (n=6796), LP (n=39928) and term (n=965203).ResultsBy the age of seven years, the prevalence of ID was 2.48% in the VP group, 0.81% in the MP group, 0.55% in the LP group and 0.35% in the term group. Intracranial haemorrhage increased the ID risk in all groups. Male sex and born small for gestational age predicted an increased risk in all but the MP group.ConclusionsThe prevalence of ID decreased with increasing gestational age. Prevention of intracranial haemorrhages may have a beneficial effect on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of neonates.



Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 18:24