title: Cognitive outcome of early intervention in preterms at 7 and 9 years of age: a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Examine the effect of an early intervention programme on cognitive outcome at 7 and 9 years in children with birth weight (BW) <2000 g.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomised controlled trial of a modified version of the Mother-Infant Transaction Program.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single tertiary neonatal unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  146 infants were randomised into a preterm control group (74) or a preterm intervention group (72).
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention consisted of eight sessions shortly before discharge and four home visits by specially trained nurses focusing on the infants' unique characteristics, temperament, developmental potential and the interaction between infants and parents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcomes were assessed with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean BWs were 1396 (429) g in the intervention group and 1381(436) g in the control group. After adjusting for the possible clustering effects of twin pairs and maternal education, there were no significant differences in WISC-III scores at age 7 or 9. The mean difference was 4.1 points (95% CI -1.5 to 9.8 points) in favour of the intervention group at 7 years and 2.2 points (95% CI -3.4 to 7.6 points) at 9 years. At 7 years, a 6.8 points difference in the Verbal Comprehension Index (95% CI 0.5 to 13.0 points) was found in favour of the intervention group. Loss to follow-up at age 7 and 9 was 11% and 14%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This intervention programme did not have a sustained significant effect on overall cognitive outcomes in preterm children at age 7 and 9.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The trial has been registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (identifier NCT00222456).
authors.affiliation: Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Lisbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hauglann
authors.affiliation: Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Bjørn Helge
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Handegaard
authors.affiliation: Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway Department of Educational Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Stein Erik
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Ulvund
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Department, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway Pediatric Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nordhov
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rønning
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Department, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway Pediatric Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Per Ivar
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Kaaresen
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male
keywords: Child Psychology; Neurodevelopment; Outcomes research