Results of visual perception tests in prematurely born children of pre-school age (author's transl)

Taking into account the criterions "birth weight", "small for date" (birth weight in relation to gestational age), "perinatal complications", "normal delivery" and "oxygen post partum" 32 children of pre-school age, who had been prematurely born tested with the following variables of the FROSTIG developmental tests of visual perception: visuo-motor coordination, figure-ground discrimination, perceptual constancy, space perception and perception of spacial relations. There were not significant differences between the premature-groups. No relations could be found between the quantity of O2 post partum and the tested abilities. After comparing the test subjects and a group of full-term born controls significant differences could be established. The different abilities were not related to the birth weight. Extensive deficits were observed in the "small for date" born prematures. The results are discussed with regard to their therapeutic relevance.