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Temperament characteristics of premature infants in the first year of life

Mary B Hughes1, Justine Shults, Jacqueline McGrath

  • 1International Center for Research of Vulnerable Women, Children and Families, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA. hughes@nigthingale.rutgers.edu

Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics : JDBP
|December 12, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants exhibit distinct temperaments in early life, presenting unique parenting challenges. Their temperament evolves, but persistence remains lower at 12 months, influenced by prematurity factors.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Development
  • Infant Psychology

Background:

  • Parenting preterm infants post-discharge is demanding.
  • Preterm infant temperament at <3 months is not well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare 6-week temperament of preterm infants to full-term norms.
  • To analyze temperament changes in preterm infants up to 12 months.

Main Methods:

  • 74 preterm infants (24-32 weeks gestational age) were studied.
  • Mothers rated infant temperament at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months (adjusted).

Main Results:

  • At 6 weeks, preterm infants were less rhythmic, more distractible, less approaching, and less intense than full-term norms.
  • Temperament moderated, but persistence remained significantly lower at 12 months.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm infants may initially pose greater parenting challenges.
  • Temperament changes suggest influence from biological and environmental factors of prematurity.

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