Abstract
In Taiwan, the medical care and follow-up system for preterm infants had been well developed over the past 15 years. However, few longitudinal studies have been conducted on very-low-birth-weight (VLBW; ＜1500g) Taiwanese preschoolers. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare the cognitive and motor developments of VLBW at five years of age with their matched full-term controls. Risk factors involved in the VLBW development at five years were also examined.
We compared a cohort of 31 VLBW children (16 boys; mean birth weight 1185g) with 31 matched controls who were born at term with normal birth weights. Measures included the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, The Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Test of Visual Perceptual Skills-Revised, Berry-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration, Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire, Activity level scale, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale and neurological examinations. The predictability of medical and neuromotor examinations in the VLBW before 2 years corrected age were also examined.
The VLBW group had a significantly lower birth weight and smaller head circumference than the full term controls at the age of 5. Compared to the control group children, the performances of the VLBW group were inferior in terms of intelligence, neuromotor skills, visual perceptual skills, and adaptive behaviors. The weight, height, and head circumference of VLBW children were significantly correlated with their cognitive function. Findings also showed that the longer the VLBW infants were hospitalized after birth, the worse they performed in visual perception and motor skills. Other neonatal risk factors have not been identified. The results of this study not only provided longitudinal information on VLBW children in Taiwan, but also indicated the importance of regular follow ups and extensive care for VLBW children in order to minimize the influence that may arise in future educational learning, interpersonal relationships or daily maintenance.
We compared a cohort of 31 VLBW children (16 boys; mean birth weight 1185g) with 31 matched controls who were born at term with normal birth weights. Measures included the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, The Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Test of Visual Perceptual Skills-Revised, Berry-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration, Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire, Activity level scale, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale and neurological examinations. The predictability of medical and neuromotor examinations in the VLBW before 2 years corrected age were also examined.
The VLBW group had a significantly lower birth weight and smaller head circumference than the full term controls at the age of 5. Compared to the control group children, the performances of the VLBW group were inferior in terms of intelligence, neuromotor skills, visual perceptual skills, and adaptive behaviors. The weight, height, and head circumference of VLBW children were significantly correlated with their cognitive function. Findings also showed that the longer the VLBW infants were hospitalized after birth, the worse they performed in visual perception and motor skills. Other neonatal risk factors have not been identified. The results of this study not only provided longitudinal information on VLBW children in Taiwan, but also indicated the importance of regular follow ups and extensive care for VLBW children in order to minimize the influence that may arise in future educational learning, interpersonal relationships or daily maintenance.
| Translated title of the contribution | General Development of Taiwanese Children Born with Very-Low-Birth-Weight at 5 Years of Age: A Pilot Study |
|---|---|
| Original language | Chinese (Traditional) |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-18 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | 職能治療學會雜誌 ＝ Journal of Occupational Therapy Association R.O.C. |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2008 Nov 1 |