Executive function of children with extremely low birthweight: a case control study

This study examines the executive function (EF) skills of extremely-low-birthweight (ELBW) children at school compared with their peers. Thirty children with ELBW and 50 control children (both with a mean age of 62±4 months) were administered tests of EF including the Tower of Hanoi task, Finger Seq...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Developmental medicine and child neurology 1999-05, Vol.41 (5), p.292-297, Article S0012162299000663
Main Authors: Harvey, Jacqueline M, O'Callaghan, Michael J, Mohay, Heather
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case-Control Studies
Child, Preschool
Cognition
Cognition Disorders - etiology
Cognition Disorders - psychology
Female
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight - psychology
Male
Neuropsychological Tests
Original Articles
Psychometrics
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Summary:This study examines the executive function (EF) skills of extremely-low-birthweight (ELBW) children at school compared with their peers. Thirty children with ELBW and 50 control children (both with a mean age of 62±4 months) were administered tests of EF including the Tower of Hanoi task, Finger Sequencing task, and Tapping Test. Children with ELBW, including those who scored more than 1 SD below the mean on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test – Revised, scored significantly lower than their peers on all executive tasks. There was limited correlation between EF and previous general quotient index scores obtained at routine assessment using the McCarthy Scales of General Ability at 4 years of age for the children with ELBW. Results suggest that children with ELBW are at risk for deficits in ‘executive’ behaviours including planning, sequencing, and inhibition which may have implications for later learning.
ISSN:0012-1622
1469-8749
DOI:10.1017/S0012162299000663