Gwenden Dueker1, Jing Chen2, Candace Cowling3, Brian Haskin4. 1. Department of Psychology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 49401, USA. Electronic address: duekerg@gvsu.edu. 2. Department of Psychology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 49401, USA. Electronic address: chenj@gvsu.edu. 3. Family Futures, 678 Front Ave., NW, #210, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA. Electronic address: ccowling@familyfutures.net. 4. Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics & Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA. Electronic address: brian.haskin@brookvillemedicine.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recent studies have indicated that children born only a few weeks earlier than their due date experience more health and cognitive problems than previously realized. AIMS: Our study investigated whether gestational age (GA) at birth (35-41weeks) predicted developmental outcomes at 8, 12, 20, or 24months of age. STUDY DESIGN: Archival records of developmental screening scores collected between 2006 and 2012 were analyzed using negative binomial and logistic regressions models. SUBJECTS: Eight-month (N=3319), 12-month (N=2303), 20-month (N=1461) and 24-month (N=1222) old children were assessed in a county-wide developmental screening program. OUTCOME MEASURES: Ages and Stage Questionnaires (ASQs) scores. RESULTS: After controlling for demographic covariates, from 35weeks of gestation on, each additional week of gestation (through 41) significantly reduced the overall risk for developmental delay at 8,12, 20 and 24-months of age. Gestational age also uniquely predicted specific risk for delay in the domains of communication, personal-social, fine-motor, and problem solving at various time-points during the first two years of life. CONCLUSIONS: With each additional week of gestation past 35weeks there was a graded decrease in the overall risk of developmental delay as well as in specific domains such as communication across the first two years of life. This evidence for the "dose-response" effect of GA on later development suggests that close monitoring of developmental outcomes for children born before 40weeks is warranted.
BACKGROUND: Recent studies have indicated that children born only a few weeks earlier than their due date experience more health and cognitive problems than previously realized. AIMS: Our study investigated whether gestational age (GA) at birth (35-41weeks) predicted developmental outcomes at 8, 12, 20, or 24months of age. STUDY DESIGN: Archival records of developmental screening scores collected between 2006 and 2012 were analyzed using negative binomial and logistic regressions models. SUBJECTS: Eight-month (N=3319), 12-month (N=2303), 20-month (N=1461) and 24-month (N=1222) old children were assessed in a county-wide developmental screening program. OUTCOME MEASURES: Ages and Stage Questionnaires (ASQs) scores. RESULTS: After controlling for demographic covariates, from 35weeks of gestation on, each additional week of gestation (through 41) significantly reduced the overall risk for developmental delay at 8,12, 20 and 24-months of age. Gestational age also uniquely predicted specific risk for delay in the domains of communication, personal-social, fine-motor, and problem solving at various time-points during the first two years of life. CONCLUSIONS: With each additional week of gestation past 35weeks there was a graded decrease in the overall risk of developmental delay as well as in specific domains such as communication across the first two years of life. This evidence for the "dose-response" effect of GA on later development suggests that close monitoring of developmental outcomes for children born before 40weeks is warranted.
Authors: Freke A Wilmink; Clarabelle T Pham; Nicole Edge; Chantal W P M Hukkelhoven; Eric A P Steegers; Ben W Mol Journal: Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol Date: 2018-04-26 Impact factor: 2.100