NEURO-INTELLECTUAL OUTCOME AT SCHOOL-AGE FOR 62 CHILDREN WITH GESTATIONAL-AGE UNDER 32 WEEKS

Aim. - The aim of this study was to detail the incidence of cerebral p alsy in children born before 32 weeks of gestation and to evaluate the scholastic and intellectual performance in non-handicapped children. Population and methods. - The population included 63 survivors hospita lized in 1984-85 (gestational age: 30.06 +/- 1.21 weeks; birth weight: 1386 +/- 267 g; inborn 60%; male: 38.7%; small for gestational age: 4 .8%; hyaline membrane disease: 32%; European: 98.4%). Neurodevelopment al assessment was performed by pediatricians and psychologists using W isc-R, visual screening by Monoyer scale, hearing by audiometry realiz ed by oto-rhinolaryngologisis. Results. - There were 62 survivors (one child dead by sudden infant death syndrome). Fifty children evaluated at a mean age of 9.3 +/- 0.7 years and written data available for ano ther eight. Twelve children presented with cerebral palsy. Risk factor s were ultrasound abnormalities of parenchynal brain and male gender. In children without cerebral palsy, we observed 12 visual and two hear ing impairment. Three were in special education, 32 were in an age-app ropriate level, nine with one year below Neonatal events were not asso ciated with the Wisc-R results except for ultrasound abnormalities of parenchynal drain. Wisc-R was strongly correlated with familial econom ic and education level. Conclusions. - School performances in non-hand icapped children born before 32 weeks is satisfying. Intellectual perf ormance is mainly correlated with familial economic and education leve l. (C) 1998 Elsevier, Paris.