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Early focused attention predicts outcome for children born prematurely
Katharine R Lawson1, Holly A Ruff
1Division of Behavioral Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York 10461, USA. krlawson@aecom.yu.edu
Insights
Early focused attention in infants predicts later attention and cognitive skills. This crucial developmental marker, observed in very low birth weight children, offers insights into attentional development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Early attentional abilities are crucial for cognitive development.
- Preterm infants often exhibit challenges with attentional regulation.
- Distinguishing between focused and casual attention is important for understanding developmental trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if early focused attention predicts later attention and cognitive function in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.
- To compare the predictive power of focused versus casual attention in this at-risk population.
- To examine the continuity of early attentional skills with later outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 55 VLBW infants, assessed at 7 months, and 2, 3, and 4/5 years.
- Focused attention measured by duration of object examination during independent play at 7 months.
- Outcomes assessed using ADHD rating scales and standardized cognitive tests.
Main Results:
- Seven-month focused attention predicted hyperactivity/impulsivity at age 4/5 years.
- Early focused attention was associated with cognitive abilities at 2, 3, and 4/5 years.
- Casual attention measures did not predict these later outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Early focused attention is a significant predictor of later attentional regulation and cognitive abilities in VLBW infants.
- This suggests a continuous developmental pathway for focused attention from infancy through preschool.
- Targeting early focused attention may be beneficial for at-risk infants.
Abstract:
There is evidence that early focused, but not casual, attention to objects reflects concurrent regulation of attention and active learning. Because attentional abilities are of particular relevance in preterm infants, we evaluated whether early focused attention would be a better predictor of later attention and cognitive function than casual attention in 55 children born at very low birth weight. Participants were tested initially at 7 months and then at 2, 3, and/or 4/5 years of age. Focused attention was defined as the duration of concentrated examination of objects during independent play. Outcome measures were maternal ratings on standard attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder rating scales and standardized cognitive assessments. Results indicate that 7-month focused attention was predictive of reported problems in hyperactivity/impulsivity at age 4/5 years and cognitive abilities at 2, 3, and 4/5 years; casual attention measures were not related to these outcomes. Early focused attention appears continuous with later attentional skills in at-risk infants and is related to cognitive abilities through the preschool years.
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