title: Non-right handedness among ELBW and term children at eight years in relation to cognitive function and school performance.
abstract: The relationship between handedness, neurological and cognitive deficits, and school difficulties was investigated in 114 extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) children and 145 term controls at eight years. The prevalence of non-right handedness (left and mixed) was 31 per cent for ELBW children and 19 per cent for controls. ELBW children with neurological impairments were significantly more likely to be non-right handed. No significant differences were noted between right-handed and non-right handed ELBW children and controls on tests of cognitive function, school performance and prevalence of learning difficulties. These findings suggest an association between neurological impairment and non-right handedness, but do not support the hypothesis of early brain insult resulting in subtle cognitive deficits and suboptimal school performance among non-right handed ELBW children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saigal
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rosenbaum
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Szatmari
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hoult
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D007360:Intelligence / Q000502:physiology*; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D014888:Wechsler Scales