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The temperament of preterm infant in preschool age

Giovanna Perricone1, M Regina Morales

  • 1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze - Ed. 15, Palermo, 90128, Italy. giovanna.perricone@unipa.it

Italian Journal of Pediatrics
|January 12, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Preschool-aged preterm infants generally exhibit positive temperaments but may show challenges in attention and motor control. Early identification of these traits can guide interventions to improve developmental outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Early Childhood Education

Background:

  • Preterm birth can influence infant temperament and development.
  • Understanding temperament in preschool-aged preterm children is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the temperament of preschool-aged preterm infants.
  • To identify potential "difficult or problematic profiles" linked to preterm birth.
  • To inform preventive interventions for improving preterm infant quality of life.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 105 children, including 50 preterm infants (average age 5 years, 2 months).
  • Teachers administered the QUIT questionnaire (60 items) assessing six temperament dimensions.
  • Dimensions included motor control, attention, inhibition to novelty, social orientation, and emotionality.

Main Results:

  • Preschool-aged preterm infants generally display "normal" temperaments with a positive emotionality.
  • Emerging impairments were noted in areas related to attention and motor control activity.
  • Comparison with full-term children indicated specific developmental differences.

Conclusions:

  • Findings suggest targeted interventions for preterm infant development and support systems.
  • Paediatricians and neonatologists can use this data for early monitoring of developmental risks.
  • Identifying precursors to maladjustment in preschool age can guide cognitive, emotional, and behavioral support.
Abstract

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