Neurodevelopmental outcome at 8 months and 4 years among infants born full-term small-for-gestational-age.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between intrauterine growth restriction and neurodevelopmental outcome among full-term small-for-gestational-age (SGAT) infants at 8 months and 4 years of age.


METHODS
Growth parameters at birth and test scores on measures of neurodevelopmental function for 3922 children born SGAT were compared with those of 29,369 children born appropriately grown-for-gestational-age term from similar economic backgrounds. Additional within-SGAT/economic group comparisons were made for 1684 SGAT infants with symmetric undergrowth at birth and 2034 SGAT infants with asymmetric undergrowth at birth.


RESULTS
Regardless of socioeconomic background, infants born SGAT were found to be at significantly increased risk for neurodevelopmental difficulties at 8 months and at 4 years of age. Few within SGAT/socioeconomic group differences in neurodevelopmental outcome appeared to be associated with specific pattern of growth restriction at birth.


CONCLUSIONS
The present findings provide further evidence of the individual and public health impact of SGAT birth.
Jelliffe-Pawlowski
Laura L
LL
Department of Human and Community Development, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.
Hansen
Robin L
RL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology