Influence of Gestational Age and Working Memory on Math Skills in Children Aged 8 to 9 Years

ABSTRACT: Objective: Prematurity affects children's functioning in domains such as cognitive skills and math skills. However, there is limited research examining math skills as gestational age (GA) increases weekly. We aimed at determining, in a population-based cohort of children aged 8 to 9 years, the association between the GA spectrum and math skills and working memory's (WM's) role in this relationship. Methods: Children aged 8 to 9 years in 2014 (n = 1761), from 44 primary schools in a metropolitan city, were recruited through the Memory Maestros study in 2012. GA was measured using the parent report. Math skills were measured using the Wide Range Achievement Test 4 math computation subtest (mean, 100; SD, 15), and WM was measured using 2 subtests of the Automated Working Memory Assessment. The method of analysis was multivariate linear regression, with adjustment for both WM measures and social risk indicators as potential confounders. Results: A total of 1168 children (66%) had analyzable data. Compared with children of ≤34-week gestation, there was a mean difference increase of 0.48 in math standard scores per weekly increase in GA (95% confidence interval, 0.11–0.85%; p = 0.01). This equates to a difference of 6.29 (0.42 SD) standard math scores between the ≤34- and ≥42-week group. The relationship was independent of WM. Conclusion: Weekly increases in GA beyond 34 weeks are associated with higher mathematics achievement scores for children aged 8 to 9 years, independent of the child's WM. This assists with identification of individuals at risk of poorer math skills. Address for reprints: Stephanie Brown, MD, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville 3052, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; e-mail: stephanienabrown@gmail.com. The Memory Maestros trial was funded by the Australian National Health Medical Research Council (Project Grant: 1005317). The researchers acknowledge salary support as follows: Associate Prof. Roberts, Murdoch Children's Research Institute Career Development Award; Dr. Quach, Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Award (DE140100751); Prof. Wake, NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship (1046518) and Cure Kids New Zealand; Prof. Anderson, NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship (1081288); and Dr. Mensah, NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (1111160). Research at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute is supported by the Victorian Government's Operational Infrastructure Program. Disclosure: The authors declare no conflict of interest. This study was registered with the Australian New Zealand and Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN 12610000486022). Ethics approval was obtained by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC 30104Q) at The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Approval for school-based research was obtained from the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (2010_000800). Received October 17, 2017 Accepted August 07, 2018 Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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