Elsevier

The Journal of Pediatrics

Volume 166, Issue 6, June 2015, Pages 1410-1416.e2
The Journal of Pediatrics

Original Article
Universal Gestational Age Effects on Cognitive and Basic Mathematic Processing: 2 Cohorts in 2 Countries

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.02.065Get rights and content
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Objective

To determine whether general cognitive ability, basic mathematic processing, and mathematic attainment are universally affected by gestation at birth, as well as whether mathematic attainment is more strongly associated with cohort-specific factors such as schooling than basic cognitive and mathematical abilities.

Study design

The Bavarian Longitudinal Study (BLS, 1289 children, 27-41 weeks gestational age [GA]) was used to estimate effects of GA on IQ, basic mathematic processing, and mathematic attainment. These estimations were used to predict IQ, mathematic processing, and mathematic attainment in the EPICure Study (171 children <26 weeks GA).

Results

For children born <34 weeks GA, each lower week decreased IQ and mathematic attainment scores by 2.34 (95% CI: −2.99, −1.70) and 2.76 (95% CI: −3.40, −2.11) points, respectively. There were no differences among children born 34-41 weeks GA. Similarly, for children born <36 weeks GA, mathematic processing scores decreased by 1.77 (95% CI: −2.20, −1.34) points with each lower GA week. The prediction function generated using BLS data accurately predicted the effect of GA on IQ and mathematic processing among EPICure children. However, these children had better attainment than predicted by BLS.

Conclusions

Prematurity has adverse effects on basic mathematic processing following birth at all gestations <36 weeks and on IQ and mathematic attainment <34 weeks GA. The ability to predict IQ and mathematic processing scores from one cohort to another among children cared for in different eras and countries suggests that universal neurodevelopmental factors may explain the effects of gestation at birth. In contrast, mathematic attainment may be improved by schooling.

BLS
Bavarian Longitudinal Study
EP
Extremely preterm
GA
Gestational age
K-ABC
Kaufman-Assessment Battery for Children
MPC
Mental processing composite
RMSE
Root mean square error
SES
Socioeconomic status
SGA
Small for GA
UK
United Kingdom

Cited by (0)

Supported by the Nuffield Foundation (EDU/40442) and the German Research Foundation (JA 1913). The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of funding bodies. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.