premature infants are more susceptible to motor development , behavior and academic performance impairment when compared to term infants .
OBJECTIVES to examine and synthesize the available knowledge in the literature about the effects of preterm birth on the development of school-age children .
Functional Outcome at School Age of Preterm Infants With Periventricular Hemorrhagic Infarction
OBJECTIVES . Our objective was to determine motor , cognitive , and behavioral outcome at school age in preterm children with periventricular hemorrhagic infa rct ion and to identify cerebral risk factors for adverse outcome . METHODS . This was a prospect i ve cohort study of all preterm infants who were < 37 weeks ' gestation , had periventricular hemorrhagic infa rct ion , and were admitted between 1995 and 2003 .  Ultrasound scans were review ed for characteristics of periventricular hemorrhagic infa rct ion and other cerebral abnormalities . At 4 to 12 years of age , motor outcome was assessed by the Gross Motor Function Classification System and the Manual Ability Classification System , by a neurologic examination ( Touwen ) , an intelligence test ( Wechsler Intelligence Scale III/Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised ) , and tests for visual-motor integration , visual perception , and verbal memory . Behavior was assessed by using the Child Behavior Checklist and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function . RESULTS . Of 38 infants , 15 ( 39 % ) died . Twenty-one of the 23 survivors were included in the follow-up . Four infants were neurologically normal , 1 had minor neurologic dysfunction , 13 had unilateral spastic cerebral palsy , and 3 had bilateral cerebral palsy . Coordination , associated movements , and fine manipulative abilities were affected most according to the neurologic examination . Gross Motor Function Classification System scores were level 1 ( 7 children ) , level 2 ( 7 children ) , level 3 ( 1 child ) , and level 4 ( 2 children ) . Manual Ability Classification System scores were normal ( 4 children ) , level 1 ( 8 children ) , level 2 ( 7 children ) , and level 3 ( 2 children ) . The mean and median total IQ was 83 . Visual perception was normal in 88 % of children , visuomotor integration was normal in 74 % , and verbal memory was normal in 50 % . Behavior was normal in 53 % of children , and executive functions were normal in 65 % and 29 % of children ( by parent and teacher report , respectively ) . Characteristics of the periventricular hemorrhagic infa rct ion were not related to functional motor outcome and intelligence . Posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation was a risk factor for poorer total and performance intelligence and abnormal fine manipulative abilities . CONCLUSIONS . The majority of surviving preterm children with periventricular hemorrhagic infa rct ion had cerebral palsy with limited functional impairment at school age . Intelligence was within 1 SD of the norm of preterm children without lesions in 60 % to 80 % of the children . Verbal memory , in particular , was affected . Behavioral and executive function problems occurred slightly more than in preterm infants without lesions . The functional outcome at school age of preterm children with periventricular hemorrhagic infa rct ion is better than previously thought
premature infants are more susceptible to motor development , behavior and academic performance impairment when compared to term infants .
OBJECTIVES to examine and synthesize the available knowledge in the literature about the effects of preterm birth on the development of school-age children .