Do pediatricians recognize cognitive developmental problems in preterm children at age 5 years?

Abstract

Often developmental psychologists see children only after referral from physicians. Do pediatricians recognize which children in a known risk group are in need of a cognitive evaluation? A judgment by pediatricians, based on an assessment using a parent questionnaire, the Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) and the overall impression during a systematic examination, was compared in 368 very preterm children, not yet diagnosed with cognitive impairments, to the results of an intelligence test. The pediatric assessment moderately identified preterm children with cognitive developmental problems. A low score on the DDST part of the pediatric assessment and information on extra assistance at school or grade retention, best indicated which children should be referred. Preterm born children known to need extra assistance at school at 5 years of age, should be referred for cognitive assessment by a child psychologist, in view of their risk for difficulties in cognitive functioning and associated problems. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.