Efeitos do nascimento pré-termo nas funções cognitivas de crianças: revisão sistemática / Preterm birth effect on cognitive functions in children: a systematic review / El efecto del parto prematuro en funciones cognitivas en niños: una revisión sistemática

RESUMO

Déficits cognitivos em crianças são relacionados ao nascimento pré-termo, e grande parte destas dificuldades são observadas apenas quando as crianças atingem a idade escolar. Por meio de uma revisão sistemática, o estudo buscou investigar dados empíricos acerca dos efeitos do nascimento pré-termo nos desfechos cognitivos (Quociente de Inteligência Geral e/ou Funções Executivas) em crianças nascidas pré-termo, com idade entre 9 e 12 anos. Foram selecionados manuscritos publicados entre 2004 a 2014, escritos em inglês, português ou espanhol. A busca foi realizada nas bases PsycINFO, PubMed e Scopus. No total, 13 estudos satisfizeram os critérios de inclusão. Os resultados indicaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos pré-termo e a termo, visto que as crianças pré-termo apresentaram os escores mais baixos. Entretanto, na maioria dos estudos, as crianças nascidas pré-termo tiveram escores dentro da média no que diz respeito ao Quociente de Inteligência Geral. Implicações clínicas e limitações metodológicas são discutidas.

ABSTRACT

Cognitive deficits are related to preterm birth and many of these difficulties are first seen when children reach school age. Through a systematic review, this study investigates the empirical data about preterm birth effects on cognitive outcomes (Overall Intelligence Quocient and/or Executive Functions) in preterm children aged 9-12 years. Manuscripts published between 2004-2014, written in English, Portuguese or Spanish were selected. The search was conducted in PsycINFO, PubMed and Scopus. Altogether, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. The results showed statistically significant differences between the preterm and term groups, as the preterm children had the lowest scores. However, in most studies preterm children had average scores on the Overall Intelligence Quotient. Clinical implications and methodological limitations are discussed.

RESUMEN

Cognitive deficits are related to preterm birth and many of these difficulties are first seen when children reach school age. Through a systematic review, this study investigated the empirical data about preterm birth effects on cognitive outcomes (Overall Intelligence Quocient and/or executive functions) in preterm children aged 9-12 years. Manuscripts published between 2004-2014, written in English, Portuguese or Spanish were selected. The search was conducted in PsycINFO, PubMed and Scopus. Altogether, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. The results showed statistically significant differences between the preterm and term groups, as the preterm children had the lowest scores. However, in most studies preterm children had average scores on the Overall Intelligence Quotient. Clinical implications and methodological limitations are discussed.