Peer-reviewed article
Cognitive functioning, verbal memory performance, and ADHD-related symptoms in late-preterm children.
Nasrallah E, Andrawes J, Joubran H, Shukha M, Elias N ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study compared cognitive development outcomes between children born late preterm (34-36 weeks) and full-term children at ages 8-11 years. Researchers tested 100 children using IQ tests, ADHD assessments, and verbal memory tests. Late preterm children showed comparable overall IQ and ADHD symptoms to full-term peers, with only one minor difference in a specific cognitive subtest.
Key points
- No significant difference in overall IQ scores between late preterm and full-term children (p = 0.13)
- ADHD symptom assessments from both parents and teachers showed no significant differences (p = 0.96 and 0.47)
- Verbal memory performance was comparable between groups across Rey auditory tests (p-values 0.08-0.91)
- Late preterm group showed lower performance only in Similarities subtest (p = 0.005)
- Study included 31 late preterm and 69 full-term children evaluated by a clinical psychologist
Limitations
The study does not indicate the country or region where it was conducted, limiting generalisability. The relatively small sample size and lack of information about potential confounding factors or long-term follow-up reduce the strength of conclusions about late preterm development.
Abstract
Background Preterm infants have a higher risk for low intelligence quotient (IQ) levels, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and verbal memory problems compared to full term infants. However, still there is limited evidence regarding the late preterm group, which accounts for the largest group of prematurely born children. Objectives/aims To compare IQ levels, ADHD symptoms, and verbal memory performance between children born late preterm and full-term. Methods A retrospective cohort study with prospective follow-up assessments, included 100 children who are 8-11 years old, 69 were born full term and 31 were born in the late preterm period, each child underwent evaluation by a specialized clinical psychologist, which included an IQ test, assessment for symptoms of ADHD and auditory memory problems. Results There was no significant difference between the two groups in general IQ scores, including verbal and performance scores (p = 0.13, 0.91, and 0.14 respectively). In the subtest analysis, the preterm group demonstrated lower performance in the Similarities subtest (p = 0.005, OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.37-0.84). There was no significant difference in Rey auditory verbal memory performance, p-value results ranged between 0.08 and 0.91. ADHD assessment questionnaires filled out by the parents and teachers showed no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.96, 0.47 respectively). Conclusion Our findings suggest that late preterm children have comparable IQ levels, ADHD symptoms, and verbal memory performance to those born at full term.