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Risk factors for executive function difficulties in preschool and early school-age preterm children

Sari O'Meagher1,2, Nenagh Kemp2, Kimberley Norris2

  • 1Department of Psychology, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tas., Australia.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|May 15, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Social risks significantly impact executive functioning (EF) in preterm children. Lower caregiver education was a key predictor of poorer cognitive and EF outcomes in these children.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatric Neurodevelopment
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

  • Preterm birth (<33 weeks gestation) is associated with potential neurodevelopmental challenges.
  • Executive functioning (EF) is crucial for academic and social success.
  • Understanding risk factors impacting EF in preterm children is vital for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between executive functioning (EF) and social/perinatal risk factors in preterm children aged 4-5 years.
  • To identify predictors of intelligence and EF in preterm children.

Main Methods:

  • 141 preterm and 77 term-born children assessed using standardized intelligence and executive function (EF) tests.
  • Parental and teacher reports of EF collected at kindergarten entry.
  • Multivariate regression analyses identified predictors of intelligence and EF in the preterm group.

Main Results:

  • Preterm children showed significantly lower performance on intelligence and EF tests compared to term-born peers.
  • Teacher reports indicated higher EF difficulties in preterm children, while parental reports showed no significant difference.
  • Higher social risk, specifically lower caregiver educational level, was the strongest predictor of poorer intelligence and EF outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Social risk factors are strongly linked to impaired early executive functioning (EF) in preterm children.
  • Early identification and support for social risk factors may mitigate EF deficits in this vulnerable population.
Abstract

Keywords:
Executive functionsPreschoolPretermRisk factorsSocial risk

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