Sex-Related Differences in School and IQ Performance for Children with Low Birth Weight at Ages 10 and 13

Abstract

This study was based on data from a longitudinal research program. The cohort consisted of normal children in an entire school grade, born in 1955, in a Swedish community. The aim of the present study was to investigate if the differences in long-term intellectual development for low versus normal birth weight (LBW/NBW) children, documented in earlier reports, was found for both boys and girls. Birth weight above and below 2,500 grams was compared with intellectual performance and school achievement (intelligence test scores, achievement test scores, and school grades) at ages 10 and 13 for LBW/NBW boys and girls separately. Differences in grades and scores reached statistical significance on most variables, but only for LBW/NBW girls. Thus, it appeared that LBW girls, but not LBW boys, suffered in their school performance.