Neurocognitive function and associations with mental health in adults born preterm with very low birthweight or small for gestational age at term

Frontiers in Psychology

article

Siri Weider¹  Astrid M. W. Lærum²  Kari Anne I. Evensen²  Solveig Klæbo Reitan⁶  Stian Lydersen⁶  Ann Mari Brubakk²  Jon Skranes²  Marit S. Indredavik² 

[1] Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology;Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology;Children’s Clinic, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital;Unit for Physiotherapy Services;Department of Physiotherapy, Oslo Metropolitan University;Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology;Department of Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health Care, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital;Department of Pediatrics, Sørlandet Hospital

关键词: Executive Function;    Mental Health;    Psychiatric symptoms and disorders;    Preterm Birth;    working memory;    Intelligence;    follow-up;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1078232

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Objectives: To assess neurocognitive function in adults born with low birthweight compared with controls and to explore associations between neurocognitive function and psychopathology in these groups. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, one group born preterm with very low birthweight (VLBW: birthweight <1500 g, n=53), one group born small for gestational age at term (SGA: birthweight <10th percentile, n=63) and one term-born control group (birthweight ≥10th percentile, n=81) were assessed with neurocognitive tests, diagnostic interviews, and self-report questionnaires at 26 years of age. Results: The VLBW group scored significantly below the control group on several neurocognitive measures, including IQ measures, psychomotor speed, verbal fluency, aspects of visual learning and memory, attention, social cognition, working memory and fine motor speed. The SGA group consistently scored at an intermediate level between the VLBW and the control group and had significantly lower scores than controls on Performance IQ and psychomotor speed, including switching. In the VLBW group, associations were found between lower spatial working memory and the presence of anxiety disorders, internalizing and attention problems, and autistic traits. Furthermore, lower Full scale IQ was associated with attention problems when adjusting for sex and parental socioeconomic status. Conclusions: Adults born preterm with VLBW or born term SGA displayed neurocognitive difficulties. Spatial working memory was associated with difficulties with attention, anxiety, and social function of VLBW adults. The finding and its clinical applicability should be further explored.

【 授权许可】

CC BY