Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 5, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

88.5K

Attention problems in very preterm children from childhood to adulthood: the Bavarian Longitudinal Study

Linda D Breeman1, Julia Jaekel1,2, Nicole Baumann1

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines
|August 20, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Children born very preterm (VP) or with very low birth weight (VLBW) face persistent attention problems into adulthood, unlike term-born peers. Early intervention programs may help mitigate these risks.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Pediatric Health

Background:

  • Very preterm (VP) birth and very low birth weight (VLBW) are associated with attention deficits.
  • The long-term stability of these attention problems from childhood into adulthood is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the stability of attention problems in individuals born very preterm/very low birth weight (VP/VLBW) from childhood to adulthood.
  • To compare the developmental trajectory of attention in VP/VLBW individuals with term-born controls.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study (Bavarian Longitudinal Study) following 260 VP/VLBW and 229 term-born individuals.
  • Attention data collected at ages 6, 8, and 26 years via parent reports, behavioral observations, and ADHD diagnoses.

Main Results:

  • VP/VLBW individuals consistently showed more attention problems, shorter attention spans, and higher ADHD rates than term-born peers.
  • Attention improved and problems decreased with age in both groups, but attention issues were more stable in VP/VLBW individuals.
  • ADHD diagnoses were moderately stable in VP/VLBW individuals but not term-born controls; differences diminished when severe disabilities were excluded.

Conclusions:

  • Children born VP/VLBW experience lasting attention problems into adulthood, despite developmental improvements.
  • Term-born children with attention problems often outgrow them by adulthood.
  • Increased awareness and school interventions are recommended for VP/VLBW children to address attention difficulties.
Abstract

Keywords:
ADHDattentionlongitudinal studieslow birth weightprematurity

More Related Videos

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD10:02

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD

Published on: March 12, 2020

17.0K
P50 Sensory Gating in Infants12:55

P50 Sensory Gating in Infants

Published on: December 26, 2013

9.7K

Related Concept Videos

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
1.3K
Information Processing Approach01:30

Information Processing Approach

The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
800
Oppositional Defiant Disorder01:30

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
1.4K
Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
1.8K
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
1.3K
Relationship with Parents: Attachment01:28

Relationship with Parents: Attachment

Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...
351