Influence of Prematurity and Birth Weight in Elementary Visuo-Spatial Perception

Background: Several studies had evaluated the impact of prematurity and low birth weight on visuospatial functions. In children, assessing visuo-spatial function often requires multi-factorial tests. We designed and validated a simple and rapid screening test measuring elementary visuo-spatial perception (EVSP) without involving any complex language, motor, and gnosic function. (Pisella et al. 2013, 2019).

Aim of the study: Here we aimed at assessing EVSP in 87 pre-term children. Children were grouped by gestational age at birth (extremely pre-term, 10th centile). All the children were tested with the EVSP test after ophtalmological assessment.

Results: EVSP deficit were encountered in 45% of extremely pre-term group, 59% in very pre-term group and 40 % in moderate pre-term group, without significative statistical difference between these groups.

EVSP deficit were encountered in 62% of extremely low birth weight group, 45% in very low birth weight group and 40% in low birth weight group without significative statistical difference between these groups.

No difference was encountered between SGA and AGA.

Conclusion: These results revealed the importance of use a simple and specific screening test to assess the impact of prematurity and birth weight on elementary visuo-spatial perception.