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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Mediators of behavioral problems in 7-year-old children born after 24 to 28 weeks of gestation

L Nadeau1, M Boivin, R Tessier

  • 1Research Center, H pital Ste-Justine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. line.nadeau@psy.ulaval.ca

Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics : JDBP
|March 27, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Extremely preterm (EP) very low birth weight (VLBW) children exhibit more behavior problems, but this link disappears when considering neuromotor and intellectual factors. These developmental delays, not prematurity itself, explain later behavioral issues in EP/VLBW children.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Prematurity is associated with developmental challenges.
  • Understanding the pathways linking prematurity to later behavior problems is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if neuromotor and intellectual functioning mediate the relationship between extreme prematurity and school-age behavior problems.
  • To identify specific developmental factors contributing to behavioral outcomes in extremely preterm children.

Main Methods:

  • Compared extremely preterm/very low birth weight (EP/VLBW) children with normal birth weight (NBW) controls.
  • Assessed neuromotor, intellectual, and working memory at preschool age.
  • Evaluated behavior problems at school age using peer, teacher, and parent reports.

Main Results:

  • EP/VLBW children showed poorer IQ and neuromotor development compared to NBW children.
  • EP/VLBW children exhibited more sensitive/isolated, inattentive, and hyperactive behaviors.
  • The association between prematurity and behavior problems was mediated by intellectual and neuromotor delays.

Conclusions:

  • Extreme prematurity indirectly impacts school-age behavior through neuromotor and intellectual deficits.
  • Specific factors like working memory and general intellectual delay explain different behavioral issues.
  • Family adversity also contributed to inattentive behaviors.

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