Behavioral and intelligence outcome in 8- to 16-year-old born small for gestational age.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated behavioral problems, attention problems, and cognitive function in children and adolescents born small for gestational age (SGA).


METHODS
Forty-six SGA children born at term and 46 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) children born at term were compared. Psychiatric symptoms were examined with reference to the Korean-Child Behavior Checklist, Korean-Youth Self Report, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale (ADHD-RS). Cognitive function was estimated using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale. Sociodemographic data were recorded from interviews.


RESULTS
SGA children had high scores on delinquent behavior, aggressive behavior, and the externalizing scale, and they also showed a propensity for anxiety and depression. The SGA group had a higher mean ADHD-RS score than the AGA group (10.52±8.10 vs.9.93±7.23), but the difference was not significant. The SGA group had a significantly lower verbal intelligence quotient (IQ) than the AGA group, but the mean scores of both groups were within normal limits.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates marked behavioral problems, such as delinquency, aggressiveness, and anxiety and depression, as well as low verbal IQ in the SGA group than in the AGA group. Even in cases in which these symptoms are not severe, early detection and proper treatment can help these children adapt to society.
Department of Pediatrics, Wonkwang University Sanbon Medical Center, Gunpo, Korea.
Kyung Hee
KH
Yi
Department of Pediatrics, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yoon Young
YY
Yi
Department of Pediatrics, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Il Tae
IT
Hwang
Child behavior disorders; Cognition; Small for gestational age