Early identification of learning problems in neonatal intensive care graduates
E. J. Sell, J. A. Gaines, C. Gluckman and E. Williams
Most investigators have documented a notable frequency of educational
problems in children who received treatment in the neonatal intensive care
unit (NICU). Seventy-four children born between 1972 and 1976 and in NICUs
were followed up prospectively. At ages 3 to 6 years, preschool development
was within the normal range on the McCarthy scales. A school problem,
defined as grade repetition and/or special help in school, occurred in 32
(48.8%). Those with school problems had significantly lower scores on the
McCarthy scales at 4 to 6 years and on the Woodcock Johnson test than the
group without school problems. Children with school problems were
classified correctly 60.3% of the time by duration of neonatal
hospitalization, and 72% to 80.9% of the time by preschool development. If
replicable, the data indicate that potential school problems can be
identified sufficiently early in NICU nursery graduates that intervention
could be started before they enter school.
