EFFECT OF INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RETARDATION (IUGR) ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF PRETERM CHILDREN AT PRESCHOOL AGE

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Abstract
Abstract– The present paper forms part of a larger prospective study and reports on the psychological performance of preterm children (n= 68) and fullterm control children (n= 36) at preschool age. Intelligence quotients (IQs) of intrauterine growth retarded (IUGR) preterm children were lower than those of appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age (AGA) preterm children or fullterm controls at preschool age. Specific deficiencies (visuomotor, language) were found in 30 % of the IUGR group and in 9 % of the AGA group. When measuring general intellectual capacity, specific areas of intellectual function should be included by means of appropriate psychological tests, because a child may have a normal IQ but still show specific deficiencies.