Influence of gestational factors on intelligence development of premature children in juvenescent phase

Objective: To investigate the influence of gestational factors on the intelligence development of premature children in adolescence.Methods: Ninty-nine 11-16 year old children born preterm and 99 controls were matched (on the basis of the same sex, same grade, same age with the discrepancy less than 0.5 year and similar family environment).The intelligenc quotients (IQ) of the subjects were assessed with the Chinese Revised Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Child (C-WISC) and the intelligence development of the preterms in adolescent stage was analyzed.Results: The related materal gestational factors, including vaginal bleeding in first trimester and second or third trimester, premature rupture of membranes and mode of delivery, had influence on the intelligence development of premature children in adolescent age.Conclusions: Prventing pregnant women from vaginal bleeding and premature rupture of membranes, or adopting cesarean section may be advantageous for the intelligence development of premature children.