Preterm birth and childhood psychiatric disorders

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

• Preterm birth is a known risk factor for psychiatric disorders.
• There is renewed interest in neurobehavioral outcomes for ex-preterm children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review clinical cohort studies on the prevalence, etiology, and risk factors of psychiatric sequelae in ex-preterm children.
• To identify the "preterm behavioral phenotype" and associated risks.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical cohort studies focusing on diagnostic psychiatric evaluations.
• Analysis of prevalence, etiology, risk factors, correlates, and comorbidities of psychiatric disorders in ex-preterm populations.

Main Results:

• Ex-preterm children have a 3- to 4-fold increased risk for psychiatric disorders in middle childhood.
• A "preterm behavioral phenotype" includes increased risks for inattention, anxiety, social difficulties, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
• Altered brain development may underlie these psychiatric sequelae.

Conclusions:

• Psychiatric screening is beneficial for ex-preterm children due to the high frequency of associated symptoms and disorders.
• Understanding the specific neurodevelopmental pathways is crucial for targeted interventions.