Cognitive function in young adults following intrauterine growth restriction with abnormal fetal aortic blood flow

OBJECTIVE: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a recognized risk factor for neurological deficits later in life. Abnormal fetal blood flow in the presence of IUGR helps to distinguish fetuses with true growth impairment from those that are small but normally grown. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of IUGR with abnormal fetal blood flow on cognitive function and psychological development in young adults. METHODS: Cognitive capacity (Wechsler adult intelligence scale-III (WAIS-III)) and psychological development (symptom check-list and Wender Utah rating scale) were evaluated at 18 years of age in 19 subjects who had had IUGR (abnormal fetal blood flow in the descending aorta and birth weight small-for-gestational age) and in 23 control subjects who had had normal fetal aortic blood flow and birth weight appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA). School grades at 16 years of age were also recorded. RESULTS: The IUGR subjects had significantly lower results at 18 years of age in the combined subtests of the WAIS-III measuring executive cognitive functions (P = 0.03) and lower school grades at 16 years of age (P = 0.03) compared with the AGA group. IUGR subjects did not exhibit significantly more psychological distress symptoms. CONCLUSION: IUGR with abnormal fetal blood flow is associated with impaired executive cognitive function in young adults.