Table 4

Mixed linear regression models for the mean KS decile difference between preterm and term infants

CovariateUnadjustedAdjusted for social factors*Adjusted for social* and antenatal factors†Adjusted for social*, antenatal† and intrapartum‡ factors
Mean difference
(95% CI)
P valuesMean difference
(95% CI)
P valuesMean difference
(95% CI)
P valuesMean difference
(95% CI)
P values
Mean difference in score−0.77 (–1.01 to −0.52)<0.001−0.49 (–0.80 to −0.18)0.002−0.59 (–0.89 to −0.13)0.009−0.46 (–0.84 to −0.07)0.021
Change over four measures
 Overall (KS1 to KS4)0.10 (0.04 to 0.17)0.0010.10 (0.02 to 0.17)0.0170.10 (0.01 to 0.19)0.0350.10 (0.01 to 0.19)0.035
 KS1 to KS20.24 (–0.09 to 0.40)0.0020.28 (–0.08 to 0.47)0.0060.34 (0.10 to 0.58)0.0050.34 (0.10 to 0.58)0.005
 KS2 to KS3−0.02 (–0.16 to 0.12)0.785−0.02 (–0.20 to 0.16)0.830−0.14 (–0.35 to 0.07)0.188−0.15 (–0.36 to 0.07)0.182
 KS3 to KS40.13 (–0.04 to 0.30)0.1250.08 (–0.14 to 0.29)0.4960.18 (–0.07 to 0.44)0.1660.19 (–0.07 to 0.45)0.149
  • Measures are mean differences (95% CI) in the average KS decile and in the change seen over and between the four measures.

  • *Social factors: maternal age, socioeconomic group and education and ethnicity.

  • †Antenatal factors: gender, parity, weight, length and head circumference at birth.

  • ‡Intrapartum factors: mode of delivery and maternal hypertension.

  • KS, Key Stage.