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

J Child Neurol. 1999 Nov;14(11):724-7. doi: 10.1177/088307389901401107.

Abstract

The study was designed to detect early clinical predictors of developmental outcome in children with intrauterine growth retardation. Eighty-five children 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 parameters that most significantly correlated with outcome were cephalization index (head circumference:birthweight ratio), neonatal risk score, and birthweight. The best predictor of 3-year outcome was the cephalization index (P < .01). The children with intrauterine growth retardation with neonatal complications had significantly lower IQ scores (P < .05) and a poorer neurodevelopmental outcome (P < .01) than those without complications. Children with intrauterine growth retardation are at higher risk for developmental disabilities than are controls, especially in the presence of neonatal complications and a high cephalization index.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cephalometry
  • Child Development / physiology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Developmental Disabilities / diagnosis*
  • Developmental Disabilities / etiology
  • Female
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / complications*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Small for Gestational Age / growth & development*
  • Intelligence*
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment