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Psychiatric disorders in extremely preterm children: longitudinal finding at age 11 years in the EPICure study

Samantha Johnson1, Chris Hollis, Puja Kochhar

  • 1Institute for Women's Health, University College London and the School of Clinical Sciences, University of Nottingham, UK.

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
|May 1, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Children born extremely preterm face a significantly higher risk of psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, emotional, and autism spectrum disorders, by age 11. Early identification of cognitive and behavioral issues is crucial for at-risk children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Child Psychiatry
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Extremely preterm birth (<26 weeks gestation) poses significant developmental challenges.
  • Psychiatric disorders are a growing concern in this vulnerable population.
  • Understanding prevalence and risk factors is vital for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in extremely preterm children at 11 years of age.
  • To identify risk factors associated with these disorders.
  • To compare psychiatric outcomes with term-born controls.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal EPICure Study cohort of 219 extremely preterm survivors and 153 term-born controls.
  • Structured psychiatric interviews with parents and questionnaires for teachers.
  • DSM-IV diagnoses assigned based on comprehensive assessments.
  • IQ testing and physical evaluations were also conducted.

Main Results:

  • Extremely preterm children had over three times higher odds of psychiatric disorders (23% vs. 9%).
  • Significantly increased risks observed for ADHD, emotional disorders (including anxiety), and autism spectrum disorders.
  • Cognitive impairment and early parent-reported behavioral problems were independent predictors.

Conclusions:

  • Extremely preterm children exhibit a substantially elevated risk for ADHD, emotional disorders, and autism spectrum disorders.
  • Cognitive impairment and early adverse experiences likely contribute to psychiatric outcomes.
  • Routine screening for cognitive and behavioral problems is recommended for early risk identification.
Abstract

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