Cognition, academic progress, behavior and self-concept at 14 years of very low birth weight children

The aim of this study was to compare cognition, academic progress, behavior , and self-concept children of very low birth weight (VLBW, birth weight < 1501 g) born in the period 1980 to 1982 with randomly selected children of normal birth weight (NBW, birth weight > 2499 g). At 14 years of age, 130 ( 84.4%) of 154 VLBW and 42 (70.0%) of 60 NEW children were assessed. Ten VLB W children and one NEW child who had cerebral palsy were excluded. VLBW chi ldren scored at a significantly lower level on all three composite scales o f the Wechsler intelligence Scale for Children, 3rd Edition. VLBW children were also significantly disadvantaged on more specific cognitive processes, including tests of visual processing and visual memory and on subtests ref lecting learning and problem solving. Only in arithmetic was a difference b etween the groups discerned on tests of achievement. Significantly more VLB W children were rated by teachers as socially rejected and by their parents as having learning problems at school. VLBW children had significantly red uced self-esteem. VLBW children had more cognitive, academic, and behaviora l problems and lower self-esteem at 14 years of age than NEW control subjec ts.