Purpose
This study was conducted to evaluate cognitive ability in preschoolers born prematurely and to investigate related factors.
Methods
A prospective, longitudinal study was conducted with 64 children at 5-6 years of corrected age (CA) (second follow-up) among 76 children who had been assessed at 2.0~3.5 years of CA (first follow-up) from a sample of 343 preterm infants born from 2008 to 2010. To evaluate each child’s cognitive ability, during a home visit, we used the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children-II (KABC-II) at the second follow-up. To explore factors related to cognitive ability, we measured children’s hemoglobin level at the second follow-up and used the data collected in our previous study, including the Bayley Scale of Infant Development-II (BSID-II) at the first follow-up.
Results
The mean total KABC-II quotient was 117.0±14.4. The 5-minute Apgar score (β=.29, p=.006), hemoglobin level (β=.22, p=.032), and the mental development index quotient of the BSID-II (β=.51, p<.001) were statistically significant predictors of the KABC-II quotient in multiple linear regression analysis.
Conclusion
The cognitive function of young children born prematurely was influenced by early neurodevelopment and factors reflecting their health status, such as anemia and a low 5-minute Apgar score.

Citations

• Effect of a Follow-up Program Involving an Early Intervention and Self-help Group on Parenting Stress, Depression, and Parenting Efficacy for Mothers of Premature Infants
  Eun Sun Ji, Jinhee Choi, Kaka Shim
  Journal of The Korean Society of Maternal and Chil.2023; 27(4): 256.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study is designed to test the effects of a full body massage on Apgar score, postpartum mother's childbirth experience, and mother-infant attachment for primipara during labor.
METHOD
Data were collected using a quasi-experiment method (nonequivalent control group, pre-post test design) from November 1, 2001 to July 31, 2002. The subjects for this experiment consist of 28 women in the experimental group and 29 in the control group, out of 57 primipara hospitalized at the U OB & GYN hospital in Inchon. A 20 minute full body massage was given to the experimental group on each of three delivery phases (latent, active, and transition), and a conventional delivery care to the control group. The experimental tools for the study are Apgar score scale developed by Apgar(1958), postpartum mother's childbirth experience scale developed by Marut and Mercer(1979), and mother-infant attachment scale developed by Cropley et al(1981). The data collected were analyzed using t-test, chi2 test, and ANCOVA on the SPSS program.
RESULT
The results of the experiment are as follows: One minute(t=6.756, p=.000; F=9.181, p=.004), and five minute(t=6.129, p=.000; F=7.918, p=.007) Apgar score are increased significantly. Postpartum mother's childbirth experience is significantly increased(t=11.691, p=.000; F=11.741, p=.001). Verbal touch score(t=5.256, p=.000; F=7.169, p=.010), skin touch score(t=11.332, p=.000; F=27.073, p=.000), and total score(t=12.105, p=.000; F=30.104, p=.000) of postpartum mother's childbirth experience are significantly increased, but not for eye touch score(t=3.236, p=.002; F=.800, p=.375).
CONCLUSION
This study shows that a full body massage has a significant positive effect on Apgar score, postpartum mother's childbirth experience. and mother-infant attachment. Therefore, it is suggested that the full body massage might be used clinically to help primipara during labor.