Authors: Geva, R.¹; Eshel, R.²; Leitner, Y.²; Fattal-Valevski, A.²; Harel, S.²

Source: Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, Volume 49, Number 12, December 2008 , pp. 1321-1330(10)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Background: 

Recent reports showed that children born with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are at greater risk of experiencing verbal short-term memory span (STM) deficits that may impede their learning capacities at school. It is still unknown whether these deficits are modality dependent. Methods: 

This long-term, prospective design study examined modality-dependent verbal STM functions in children who were diagnosed at birth with IUGR (n = 138) and a control group (n = 64). Their STM skills were evaluated individually at 9 years of age with four conditions of the Visual-Aural Digit Span Test (VADS; Koppitz, 1981): auditory-oral, auditory-written, visuospatial-oral and visuospatial-written. Cognitive competence was evaluated with the short form of the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children - revised (WISC-R95; Wechsler, 1998). Results: 

We found IUGR-related specific auditory-oral STM deficits (p < .036) in conjunction with two double dissociations: an auditory-visuospatial (p < .014) and an input-output processing distinction (p < .014). Cognitive competence had a significant effect on all four conditions; however, the effect of IUGR on the auditory-oral condition was not overridden by the effect of intelligence quotient (IQ). Conclusions: 

Intrauterine growth restriction affects global competence and inter-modality processing, as well as distinct auditory input processing related to verbal STM functions. The findings support a long-term relationship between prenatal aberrant head growth and auditory verbal STM deficits by the end of the first decade of life. Empirical, clinical and educational implications are presented.

Keywords: Memory; growth restriction; longitudinal studies; auditory processing; prematurity; follow-up studies; information processing

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.01917.x

Affiliations: 1: Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel 2: Dana Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel

Publication date: 2008-12-01

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