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. 1997 Aug 16;315(7105):401-3.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.315.7105.401.

Birth weight and cognitive function in young adult life: historical cohort study

H T Sørensen  1 , S Sabroe, J Olsen, K J Rothman, M W Gillman, P Fischer
Affiliations

Birth weight and cognitive function in young adult life: historical cohort study

H T Sørensen et al. BMJ. .

Erratum in

  • BMJ 1998 Mar 7;316(7133):747

Abstract

Objective: To examine the relation between birth weight and cognitive function in young adult life.

Design: Retrospective cohort study based on birth registry data and cognitive function measured during evaluation for military service.

Subjects: 4300 Danish conscripts born between 1973 and 1975.

Main outcome measures: Mean score in the Boerge Prien test of cognitive function; score is the number of correct answers to 78 questions and correlates with full scale intelligence quotient (IQ).

Results: Mean score in the Boerge Prien test increased from 39.9 at a birth weight of < or = 2500 g to 44.6 at a birth weight of 4200 g even after adjustment for gestational age and length at birth, maternal age and parity, and other variables. Above a birth weight of 4200 g the test score decreased slightly.

Conclusion: Birth weight is associated with cognitive performance in young adult life. Interference with fetal growth may influence adult cognitive performance.

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