School Difficulties in 8-Year-Old Very Preterm Children
Author Information
Author(s): Larroque Beatrice, Ancel Pierre-Yves, Marchand-Martin Laetitia, Cambonie Gilles, Fresson Jeanne, Pierrat Véronique, Rozé Jean-Christophe, Marpeau Loic, Thiriez Gerard, Alberge Corinne, Bréart Gérard, Kaminski Monique, Marret Stéphane, and the Epipage Study group
Primary Institution: INSERM, UMR S953, Paris, France
Hypothesis
What are the school difficulties, special care needs, and behavioral problems in 8-year-old very preterm children?
Conclusion
Most 8-year-old very preterm children are in mainstream schools, but they face a high risk of school difficulties and require additional support.
Supporting Evidence
- 5% of VPT children were in specialized schools compared to 1% of the reference group.
- 15% of VPT children received support at school versus 5% of the reference group.
- 55% of VPT children received special care between ages 5 and 8 compared to 38% of the reference group.
- VPT children had significantly lower scores in mathematics and French than the reference group.
- 19% of VPT children repeated a grade compared to 5% of the reference group.
Takeaway
Kids born very early often have a tough time in school and need extra help to learn.
Methodology
Longitudinal population-based cohort study of very preterm children and a reference group, using questionnaires to assess school outcomes and behavioral problems.
Potential Biases
Parents provided data, which may not be fully reliable.
Limitations
High attrition bias due to families moving, potentially leading to underestimation of unfavorable outcomes.
Participant Demographics
Children born between 22 and 32 weeks of gestation, with a reference group of full-term children.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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