Minor Disabilities of Premature Children: How Are Parents Coping with the Possibility?

摘要

Forty children, which were neonates with a birth weight<1500gr, participated in our study., At the age of 4 years, they had a detailed neurodevelopmental assessment with a combination of tests: the Touwen's, the Griffiths and the Miller. A questionnaire was handed to the parents concerning the opinion they had on their child's condition. 85% of the parents believed that their child was normal, 12.5% having some difficulties and 2 5% having important problems. Among children considered normal by their parents, some (9.4-46.9%) presented suboptimal scores at the different subscales of the different tests mainly in coordination and performance. However only 47.5 % of the children had attended playschool because of the concern of the parents for viral infections. Parents are giving a more optimistic view of the performance of their children compared to the results of the tests. However they prefer a more protective environment instead of the stimulating programs of playschools.