Eva Hansen

PSYCHOMOTOR DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL-ADJUSTMENT OF 7-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN WITH LOW BIRTHWEIGHT

Abstract. 144 children with low birthweight (2 500 g, LBW) were studied at 7 years of age by questionnaires filled in by their parents and teachers. The children had attended school for at least 3 months at the beginning of the investigation. The teachers also filled in questionnaires regarding 144 sex‐and age‐matched children who served as controls. The questions included performance at school, motor function, and attitude to school‐mates and to adults. The distribution of the LBW‐children among different types of schools was compared with that of the general population. The intellectual level was estimated from Goodenoughs Draw‐a‐man‐test. Seven LBW‐children attended special classes, and this was more than expected in the general population. On the average, the intellectual level of LBW‐children was lower than that of the controls. The difference was due mainly to children with a birthweight s2 000 g. Regarding motor function, the LBW‐children were not quite as capable as the controls. They got on less well with their school‐mates and were more anxious, shy and dependent. Many of the parents were overprotective. The differences between the LBW‐children and the controls were subtle. Neurological status at 5 years of age was not clearly related to school performance and school‐adjustment. Socioeconomic factors played no obvious role in this study.