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Follow-up of Adolescents Born Extremely Preterm Cognitive Function and Health at 18 Years of Age.

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Author

Summary, in English

Abstract Aim: To compare cognitive ability, school achievement and self-perceived health aspects in adolescents born extremely preterm and term born controls. Method: Fifty-two, out of 61, extremely preterm born adolescents (mean age 18.4 years) and 54 matched controls (mean age 18.3 years) born at full term were investigated; intelligence quotient was measured with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale; cognitive flexibility, i.e. a measure of visuomotor speed and attention, with the Trail Making Test; school achievement and choice of upper secondary programmes was reported. Health aspects were investigated in a semi structured interview. Result: The adolescents born prematurely had significantly lower IQ than the controls, mean 93 (SD 15.4) versus 106 (12.5), p < 0.001; showed slower visuomotor speed; had lower grades from compulsory school (192.7 versus 234.8, p < 0.001), and chose to a greater extent practical upper secondary school programmes. There were no differences between the groups in health care consumption, prevalence of chronic disease, allergy or infectious diseases. Conclusions: Poorer cognitive performance, in extremely preterm born individuals, seems to persist into late adolescence. Fewer prematurely born than control chose theoretical upper secondary school programmes. However, no difference was noted regarding self-perceived health aspects.

Publishing year

2010

Language

English

Pages

1401-1406

Publication/Series

Acta paediatrica

Volume

99

Issue

9

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

Topic

  • Pediatrics

Keywords

  • Cognition
  • Follow-up
  • Health
  • Late adolescent
  • Preterm

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1651-2227