Risk factors for cognitive impairment in school-age children born preterm: application of a hierarchical model

• Main Authors: Maura Calixto Cecherelli de Rodrigues, Rosane Reis de Mello, Kátia Silveira da Silva, Márcia Lazaro de Carvalho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Academia Brasileira de Neurologia (ABNEURO) 2012-08-01
• Series: Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria
• Subjects: cognição; desenvolvimento infantil; fatores de risco
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-282X2012000800005&lng=en&tlng=en

The purpose was to analyze factors associated with cognitive impairment in very low birth weight (VLBW) children born preterm. A prospective cohort of 65 VLBW children was assessed at the age of eight years using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. A model for the relationship of variables with the cognitive impairment outcome attributed hierarchical levels: distal (socioeconomic variables), intermediate I and II (perinatal and neonatal variables, post-neonatal variables) and proximal (child health and psychosocial stimulation). A multivariate logistic regression was performed. In the multivariate hierarchical logistic regression, the maternal education (OR=0.77, 95%CI 0.63-0.94) and number of prenatal visits (OR=0.73, 95%CI 0.54-0.99) showed a protective association, but the male (OR=7.3, 95%CI 1.54-35.3) was associated with worse results. The VLBW children cognitive performance in the age of eight years benefits from more educated mothers, better prenatal care, and the baby gender as female.