School performance of adolescents born preterm: neuropsychological and background correlates.

Full Abstract

In this longitudinal study the development of preterm and control children was followed from infancy until adolescence. School performance at the age of 16 in subjects born very preterm with a gestational age (GA) of <or= 32 weeks was compared with the performance of adolescents born full-term. None of the subjects had major disabilities. The study groups performed similarly in most school subjects, including mathematics, the second foreign language and the native language (Finnish). Subjects in the preterm group achieved significantly higher grade points in the first foreign language than control subjects. In particular, the difference was evident between the preterm and control boys. The extremely preterm group with a GA <or= 29 weeks did not differ from the more mature group with a GA between 30 and 32 weeks in terms of the school grade points. Verbal and performance scale IQs as assessed at the age of 9 were of primary importance in predicting school success in adolescence. The results suggest a good outcome, measured by school grade scores at 16 years of age, of the subjects born very preterm.

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Author information

Author/s: Saavalainen, Pia M (PM); Luoma, Laila (L); Laukkanen, Eila (E); M Bowler, Dermot (D); Määttä, Sara (S); Kiviniemi, Vesa (V); Herrgård, Eila (E);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Joensuu, PO Box 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland. pia.saavalainen(-atsign-)kuh.fi

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: European journal of paediatric neurology : EJPN : official journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society (Eur J Paediatr Neurol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-May; vol 12 (issue 3) : pp 246-52

Dates: Created 2008/04/24; Completed 2008/07/29;

PMID: 17933569, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Achievement
Adolescent
Child Development - physiology
Female
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature - physiology

Infant, Premature - physiology
Intelligence - physiology
Intelligence Tests
Male
Neuropsychological Tests
Pregnancy
Premature Birth - physiopathology

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