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Restricted, Repetitive, and Reciprocal Social Behavior in Toddlers Born Small for Gestation Duration

Robin Sifre1, Carolyn Lasch1, Angela Fenoglio1

  • 1Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|August 1, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Birth weight percentile for gestation duration, not prematurity alone, predicts early behavioral outcomes. Higher birth weight may protect toddlers from adverse psychological outcomes, regardless of gestational age.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) and reciprocal social behaviors (RSBs) are key indicators of early development.
  • Understanding factors influencing RRBs and RSBs in toddlers is crucial for identifying potential developmental risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between birth weight and/or gestation duration and RRBs/RSBs in a large toddler cohort.
  • To determine if birth weight percentile for gestation duration (BPGD) is a better predictor of these behaviors than gestation duration alone.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized parent-completed questionnaires for demographic information, RRBs, and RSBs in 1589 toddlers (17-26 months).
  • Employed hierarchical multivariate multiple regression to analyze the association between BPGD and behavioral outcomes, controlling for age, sex, and vocabulary.
  • Assessed RRBs using the Repetitive Behavior Scale for Early Childhood and RSBs using the Video-Referenced Rating of Reciprocal Social Behavior.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in RRBs or RSBs were found between preterm and full-term toddlers.
  • Significant associations were observed between BPGD and both RRBs (β = -2.1, P = .03) and RSBs (β = -1.8, P = .02).
  • These associations remained significant after accounting for age, sex, and vocabulary production.

Conclusions:

  • BPGD is a stronger predictor of RRBs and RSBs than gestation duration alone.
  • Findings suggest that higher birth weight may act as a protective factor against adverse psychological outcomes in toddlers.
  • This research provides insights into the link between preterm birth and behavioral outcomes, highlighting the importance of the intrauterine environment.
Abstract

Keywords:
birth weightpretermpsychiatrypsychologysocial development

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