Prognosis of neonatal “at risk” infants at early school‐age: A comprehensive outcome score as a measure of impairment

Abstract

Three hundred and eighty-six children with neonatal high risk factors were followed up to the age of eight to nine years. One hundred and seven children with no neonatal risk factors were examined as controls. A neuropaediatric examination, Test of Motor Impairment, part of the ITPA, WISC as well as test for reading and writing were performed. A comprehensive score for the nine-year performance describing the grade of impairment was computed. The risk group children were found to have more problems at school in general than the non-risk children. Low birth weight, neurological symptoms and children with several risk diagnoses had the poorest performances. Low social class and smallness for gestational age increased the risk of having problems at the age of nine.

A Prospective 30-Year Follow-Up of ADHD Associated With Perinatal Risks

“…The children with PR-associated ADHD had multiple demonstrable behavioral, motor, perception, speech, language, and learning problems already at ages of five and nine. Thus, potential school problems could be predicted at age five as has been reported in more detail in our previous articles (Lindahl & Michelsson, 1987; Michelsson & Lindahl, 1987; Michelsson et al, 1981). Problems in learning skills were paralleled by the poorer performance in the cognitive and motor tests performed.…”

“…The study group belongs to a cohort prospectively followed up since 1971. Childhood findings have been published earlier (Lindahl & Michelsson, 1987; Michelsson & Lindahl, 1987; Michelsson, Ylinen, & Donner, 1981; Michelsson, Ylinen, Saarnivaara, & Donner, 1978). A new project “Plasticity” pre-protocol based on the same cohort is published elsewhere (Hokkanen, Launes, & Michelsson, 2013).…”

Adult neurobehavioral outcome of hyperbilirubinemia in full term neonates—a 30 year prospective follow-up study

“…The decisions were agreed upon at a clinical case conference between a pediatrician, child neurologist, a psychologist, and a speech therapist, who had performed the assessments. The results of these 5 and 9 year assessments have been published previously ( Lindahl & Michelsson, 1986 ; Lindahl & Michelsson, 1987 ; Lindahl, Michelsson & Donner, 1988 ; Michelsson, Ylinen & Donner, 1981 ; Michelsson, Donner & Lindahl, 1988 ; Michelsson & Lindahl, 1984 ; Michelsson & Lindahl, 1987 ; Michelsson et al, 1988 ; Michelsson & Lindahl, 1993 ; Michelsson & Noronen, 1983 ). The diagnostic classification in the HB group were as follows: 21% had minimal brain dysfunction (MBD)—a diagnosis in use at the beginning of the cohort study defined as three or more concomitant deficits—30% had dyslexia, 27% perceptual disabilities (auditory, visual or undefined), 27% had motor impairment, 15% hyperactivity and attention deficit, 11% significant psychiatric and psychosomatic symptoms, 9% had neurological signs, and 5% had speech and language abnormalities (not including dyslalia only).…”

Writing disabilities and cognitive functions at the age of nine years in a neonatal high‐risk group

“…The children had then started their third grade at public school. The comparison group was the same as reported in the study by Lindahl et al (1986).…”

“…The study sample comprised 311 children, 160 boys and 151 girls, born in 1972-73 and belonging to the high-risk group reported earlier (Lindahl et al, 1986). The age range was from 8 years 7 months to 9 years 8 months.…”