Neurodevelopmental outcome in children with intrauterine growth retardation: A 3-year follow-up

The study was designed to detect early clinical predictors of developmental outcome in children with intrauterine growth retardation. Eighty-five chil dren with intrauterine growth retardation were followed up prospectively to 3 years of age, using biometric parameters, perinatal risk questionnaires, and neurodevelopmental evaluations. Forty-two children served as controls. A significant difference in neurodevelopmental score at 3 years of age was noted between the intrauterine growth retardation and control groups (P < .001). In the intrauterine growth retardation group, the clinical parameter s that most significantly correlated with outcome were cephalization index (head circumference:birthweight ratio), neonatal risk score, and birthweigh t. The best predictor of 3-year outcome was the cephalization index (P < .0 1). The children with intrauterine growth retardation with neonatal complic ations had significantly lower IQ scores (P < .05) and a poorer neurodevelo pmental outcome (P < .01) than those without complications. Children with i ntrauterine growth retardation are at higher risk for developmental disabil ities than are controls, especially in the presence of neonatal complicatio ns and a high cephalization index.