Influence of Low Birth Weight on the Intellectual Performance of Children at Entry to First Year of School

Abstract

Influence of low birth weight (LBW) on children at entry to school was studied by comparing a group of LBW children with a group of normal birth weight (NBW) children. A wide variety of study instruments was used to obtain required information and steps were taken to ensure quality of data. Influence of LBW on competency at entry to school was examined while accounting for the possible confounders of the relevant association. LBW group was found to have a lower level of intellectual performance at the time of school entry. The significant factors influencing this association were: poor socio-economic status, lower duration of pre-school education, lack of availability of reading material and lower nutritional status. However the influence of LBW on performance at entry to school remained significant once the above confounders were controlled. This highlights the need to prevent LBW and to maximize the intellectual ability of LBW survivors by appropriate interventions.