[Cognitive development of premature children at school age: a proposal for a hierarchical model to investigate risk factors]. / Desenvolvimento cognitivo de prematuros à idade escolar: proposta de modelo hierarquizado para investigação dos fatores de risco.

Cognitive impairment is a neurodevelopmental sequela that is more prevalent in very low birth weight (VLBW) premature children. There are few Brazilian studies on this group's cognitive development at school age. The current study proposes a theoretical discussion on the determinants of cognitive development at school age in VLBW preterm children, using a hierarchical analytical model. According to this model, biological and environmental factors interrelate on several levels (distal, intermediate, and proximal), resulting in changes in cognitive development. The aim is to investigate the possible mediation of variables and their interrelationships and the resulting events that could lead to cognitive impairment as the outcome. Selection of risk factors was based on a literature review of factors associated with adverse cognitive outcomes. Better understanding of the interrelationships between these factors could lead to more appropriate prevention and intervention in this group, thereby increasing their chances of educational and social inclusion.

Desenvolvimento cognitivo de prematuros à idade escolar: proposta de modelo hierarquizado para investigação dos fatores de risco / Cognitive development of premature children at school age: a proposal for a hierarchical model to investigate risk factors

O déficit cognitivo é a sequela do neurodesenvolvimento mais prevalente na população de prematuros de muito baixo peso. Poucos são os trabalhos nacionais sobre o desenvolvimento desta população na idade escolar. Este estudo propõe uma discussão teórica sobre os fatores determinantes do desenvolvimento cognitivo na idade escolar de prematuros de muito baixo peso ao nascer, utilizando o modelo hierarquizado de análise. Neste modelo, fatores biológicos e ambientais se relacionariam em diversos níveis: distal, intermediário e proximal, resultando em alterações no desenvolvimento cognitivo. Pretende-se, desta forma, aprofundar a questão das mediações possíveis das variáveis e suas inter-relações e consequentes eventos que podem levar ao desfecho. Para a seleção dos fatores de risco foi realizada uma revisão da literatura sobre fatores associados a resultados cognitivos desfavoráveis. Pressupõe-se que o melhor conhecimento das inter-relações destes fatores auxiliaria na prevenção e intervenção mais adequada nesta população, aumentando suas chances de inclusão escolar e social.

Cognitive impairment is a neurodevelopmental sequela that is more prevalent in very low birth weight (VLBW) premature children. There are few Brazilian studies on this group's cognitive development at school age. The current study proposes a theoretical discussion on the determinants of cognitive development at school age in VLBW preterm children, using a hierarchical analytical model. According to this model, biological and environmental factors interrelate on several levels (distal, intermediate, and proximal), resulting in changes in cognitive development. The aim is to investigate the possible mediation of variables and their interrelationships and the resulting events that could lead to cognitive impairment as the outcome. Selection of risk factors was based on a literature review of factors associated with adverse cognitive outcomes. Better understanding of the interrelationships between these factors could lead to more appropriate prevention and intervention in this group, thereby increasing their chances of educational and social inclusion.