Examining the correlation of Apgar with cognitive development and symptoms of behavioral disorders among children and adolescents aged 5, 8, and 12 years old

Prenatal events such as premature birth, low birth weight, and low Apgar score can affect life after birth. The present study aimed to determine the correlation between birth Apgar score and cognitive development and symptoms of behavioral disorders in children and adolescents.

In the present study 300 children aged 5-12 years old entered the study. Neonatal Apgar score and other information related to the neonatal at birth were extracted from delivery records. Cognitive development was evaluated by the Raven's Coloured Progressive. Symptoms of behavioral disorders were assessed by the Rutter Behavioral Disorders Questionnaire for parents and the validity of 97% and reliability of 92% were achieved. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software. The data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient.

The correlation between Apgar score and cognitive development was equal to 0.351 which was significant at P < 0.001. there was a significant relationship between Apgar score and cognitive development. Also, the correlation between Apgar score and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), antisocial behavior, maladaptation, anxiety, and aggression was 0.368, 0.265, 0.419, 0.434, and 0.553, respectively. All of them were significant at P < 0.001, i.e., there was a significant inverse relationship between Apgar and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, antisocial behavior, maladaptation, anxiety, as well as aggression.

Factors that reduce the Apgar score at birth can affect cognitive development and behavior in childhood and adolescence and cause many problems. On the other hand, more hospitalization of these infants in their intensive care unit can lead to disruption in child development.