Research progress on the neurocognitive development of small for gestational age

WANG Weiqin; LIU Zhongling; HUO Yanyan; WAN Qin; LIU Qiaoyun; WU Dan; CHEN Lingyan; CHEN Jinjin

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2023-0382

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2024, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (5) : 527-533. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2023-0382

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Research progress on the neurocognitive development of small for gestational age

WANG Weiqin¹, LIU Zhongling¹, HUO Yanyan¹, WAN Qin², LIU Qiaoyun³, WU Dan^1,4, CHEN Lingyan⁵, CHEN Jinjin¹

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Abstract

Small for gestational age (SGA) infants are more likely to experience neurocognitive impairments compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. This paper reviews recent research on the neurocognitive development of SGA children. SGA can lead to a "brain-sparing effect" due to growth restriction, which may affect cerebral blood flow and brain structure. However, this does not guarantee normal brain development. Restrictive blood flow can result in changes in brain structure, such as reduced total white matter and gray matter volume in various brain regions, including the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum, ultimately leading to decreased head circumference. SGA children also exhibit lower scores in all neurocognitive domains, including intelligence, attention, memory, and executive function. This may result in poor academic performance and an increased risk of social, behavioral, and neurological problems, such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, visual and hearing impairments, as well as comorbidities like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD), autism spectrum disorder(ASD), anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. Several risk factors for SGA-related neurocognitive impairments have been identified, including gestational hypertension, abnormal gestational weight, smoking, and catch-up growth. Studies have shown that the best interventions to improve cognitive dysplasia include nutrient supplementation, continued breastfeeding, high-quality education, and appropriate early intervention (responsive parenting) are effective in improving cognitive outcomes for SGA children.

Key words

small for gestational age infants / neurocognitive development / parenting / breastfeeding

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WANG Weiqin, LIU Zhongling, HUO Yanyan, WAN Qin, LIU Qiaoyun, WU Dan, CHEN Lingyan, CHEN Jinjin. Research progress on the neurocognitive development of small for gestational age[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2024, 32(5): 527-533 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2023-0382

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