IQ in childhood is a better indicator of adult wealth than maths for very preterm and very low-weight babies, according to a new study in PLOS One by researchers at the University of Warwick and the University of Tennessee. This could change the education system for those with cognitive impairments.

根据华威大学和田纳西大学的研究人员在PLOS One上最新发表的论文，对于早产儿和体重过轻的婴儿，儿童时期的智商成绩是成年后财富地位的更好指标——指示性高于数学能力。这一发现或许会改变现有的教育体系，至少会影响学习障碍儿童的教育方针。

These findings contrast with previous evidence suggesting the specific importance of math skills for economic achievement.

之前有证据表明，数学能力对个人未来的经济成就有重要的影响;但最新的研究与之形成了鲜明对比。

The study, 'General Cognitive but Not Mathematic Abilities Predict Very Preterm and Healthy Term Born Adults' Wealth,' followed more than 400 children born in Bavaria, Germany, from birth through adulthood. Of the children in the study, 193 were born very preterm (under 32 weeks gestation) or with very low birth weight (less than 3.3 pounds) and 217 were healthy term babies.

论文名为 《一般认知但非数学能力足以预测早产但健康的婴儿成年后的财富成就》，追踪了400多名出生在德国巴伐利亚州的婴儿直到成年。这些儿童中，有193名严重早产(32周以下)或出生体重极低(低于3.3磅)，另外217名是健康足月的婴儿。

Using standardized tests, psychologists assessed general intelligence and specific maths skills of the children at eight years old. When the subjects reached age 26, information on their income, social benefits, educational qualifications, and career success was summarized into a comprehensive wealth index.

等他们长到8岁时，心理学家使用标准化测试评估了他们的一般智力和特定数学技能。当受试者达到26岁时，参考其收入水平、社会福利、教育程度和职业成就的信息，按特定公式计算出综合财富指数。

The researchers tested whether math abilities or IQ explained the negative consequences of very premature birth on adult wealth. They concluded that IQ was a better predictor of life course economic success.

研究人员想要了解，数学能力或智商对个人未来的财富地位的影响有多大。他们得出结论，对经济水平而言，智商是生命历程中更好的预测指标。

This new research adds to the understanding of long-term outcomes in the lives of children who are born very preterm. As many children demonstrating cognitive impairments attend mainstream schools, it also provides an opportunity to develop strategies for ensuring that they receive best support for their learning progress.

许多表现出认知障碍的儿童进入了普通学校，以确保他们获得必要的教育。

Prof. Dieter Wolke, from the Department of Psychology at the University of Warwick comments:

华威大学心理学系的Dieter Wolke教授评论道：

"No matter whether their difficulties are global or specific, many very preterm and very low birthweight individuals require continued educational support in order to succeed in school and life.

无论他们表现出的学习困难是普遍性的还是具体的，许多严重早产和极低出生体重的孩子都需要接受教育，才能在学校和生活中取得成功。

Our findings can inform the design of follow-up and intervention services to reduce the burden of prematurity for those individuals who were born at highest neonatal risk."

我们的研究结果可以为后续和干预服务的设计提供思路，以减轻早产儿所面临的学习负担。

"Considering preterm and low-birthweight individuals' multiple neurocognitive difficulties, our results suggest that IQ is a more significant predictor of adult wealth than the ability to solve specific math problems," said Julia Jaekel, associate professor of child and family studies, who coauthored the study with Nicole Baumann and Dieter Wolke from the University of Warwick and Peter Bartmann from the University of Bonn.

儿童与家庭研究副教授Julia Jaekel补充道：“考虑到早产和低出生体重儿童经常出现多重神经认知困难，我们的研究结果表明，智商才是财富水平更重要的预测因子，而非解决特定数学问题的能力。”