Attentional problems in children born very preterm or with extremely low birth weight at 7-9 years

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Children born very preterm (gestation ≤27 weeks) or with extremely low birth weight (ELBW; ≤1000 g) are at higher risk for neurodevelopmental challenges.
• Attentional problems, including inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity, are common in this vulnerable population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate attentional deficits in children born very preterm/ELBW using objective cognitive measures and behavioral ratings.
• To determine the relationship between performance on attention-specific psychological tests and observed behavioral symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 45 children born very preterm/ELBW and 49 full-term controls (aged 7-9 years) underwent standardized neuropsychological testing.
• Tests included Digits and Spatial Span Forward, NEPSY Visual Attention, Trail Making Test B, and Stroop Color and Word Test.
• Parent and teacher ratings on ADHD scales assessed inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.

Main Results:

• Children born very preterm/ELBW demonstrated significantly poorer performance on Spatial Span Forward, Visual Attention, and Trail Making Test B compared to controls.
• Parents reported significantly higher levels of inattentive and total ADHD symptoms in the very preterm/ELBW group.
• Performance on cognitive attention measures significantly predicted parent and teacher ratings of behavioral symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Children born very preterm/ELBW exhibit measurable deficits in specific aspects of attention, corroborating behavioral observations.
• Neuropsychological tests of attention are valuable tools for identifying and understanding attentional problems in this population.
• These findings highlight the need for early identification and targeted interventions for attentional difficulties in very preterm/ELBW children.