title: Neurocognitive test profiles of extremely low birth weight five-year-old children differ according to neuromotor status.
abstract: The neurocognitive outcome of children born with extremely low birth weight (ELBW) is highly variable due to the complexity of morbidity. So far, no study has compared comprehensive neuropsychological test profiles in groups with different neuromotor status. In a national cohort of ELBW children neuropsychological test profiles were assessed in 4 groups defined according to a neurological examination at 5 years of age: normal neuromotor status (N = 56), motor coordination problems (N = 32), multiple subtle neuromotor signs including both motor coordination problems and deviant reflexes (N = 20), and spastic diplegia (N = 12). The neurocognitive assessment included a test of intelligence, the Wechsler Primary and Preschool Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R) and 14 subtests of attention and executive functions, verbal functions, manual motor functions, visuoconstructional functions and verbal learning (NEPSY). The children with normal neuromotor status performed within the average range; children with motor coordination problems had widespread impairment; and children with spastic diplegia and children with multiple minor neuromotor signs had uneven test profiles with stronger verbal results but weaknesses in attention and executive functions, and in manual motor and visuoconstructional tasks. In conclusion, very preterm children with neuromotor signs, including motor coordination problems, are at risk for neurocognitive impairment, in spite of average intelligence. More impaired children have more irregular test profiles. Follow-up and neuropsychological assessment of very preterm children with minor neuromotor signs are therefore indicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. marit.korkman@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Marit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Korkman
authors.forename: Kaija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mikkola
authors.forename: Niina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ritari
authors.forename: Viena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tommiska
authors.forename: Teija
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Salokorpi
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Haataja
authors.forename: Outi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tammela
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pääkkönen
authors.forename: Päivi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Olsén
authors.forename: Vineta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fellman
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D052577:Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology