@article {HauglannF11, author = {Lisbeth Hauglann and Bj{\o}rn Helge Handegaard and Stein Erik Ulvund and Marianne Nordhov and John A R{\o}nning and Per Ivar Kaaresen}, title = {Cognitive outcome of early intervention in preterms at 7 and 9 years of age: a randomised controlled trial}, volume = {100}, number = {1}, pages = {F11--F16}, year = {2015}, doi = {10.1136/archdischild-2014-306496}, publisher = {BMJ Publishing Group}, abstract = {Objective Examine the effect of an early intervention programme on cognitive outcome at 7 and 9 years in children with birth weight (BW) \<2000 g. Design A randomised controlled trial of a modified version of the Mother{\textendash}Infant Transaction Program. Setting A single tertiary neonatal unit. Patients 146 infants were randomised into a preterm control group (74) or a preterm intervention group (72). Interventions The intervention consisted of eight sessions shortly before discharge and four home visits by specially trained nurses focusing on the infants{\textquoteright} unique characteristics, temperament, developmental potential and the interaction between infants and parents. Main outcome measures Outcomes were assessed with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III). Results Mean BWs were 1396 (429) g in the intervention group and 1381(436) g in the control group. After adjusting for the possible clustering effects of twin pairs and maternal education, there were no significant differences in WISC-III scores at age 7 or 9. The mean difference was 4.1 points (95\% CI -1.5 to 9.8 points) in favour of the intervention group at 7 years and 2.2 points (95\% CI -3.4 to 7.6 points) at 9 years. At 7 years, a 6.8 points difference in the Verbal Comprehension Index (95\% CI 0.5 to 13.0 points) was found in favour of the intervention group. Loss to follow-up at age 7 and 9 was 11\% and 14\%, respectively. Conclusions This intervention programme did not have a sustained significant effect on overall cognitive outcomes in preterm children at age 7 and 9. Trial registration number The trial has been registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (identifier NCT00222456).}, issn = {1359-2998}, URL = {https://fn.bmj.com/content/100/1/F11}, eprint = {https://fn.bmj.com/content/100/1/F11.full.pdf}, journal = {Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition} }