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Development of executive functions from childhood to adolescence in very preterm-born individuals - A longitudinal

Regula Everts1, Corina G Schöne2, Ines Mürner-Lavanchy3

  • 1Division of Neuropediatrics, Development and Rehabilitation, Children's University Hospital, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.

Early Human Development
|January 15, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Very preterm-born individuals show a prolonged developmental trajectory for executive functions, including inhibition and cognitive flexibility, extending into adolescence. This suggests a developmental delay rather than persistent deficits in cognitive functions.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Preterm birth (<32 weeks gestation) is associated with executive function deficits.
  • Longitudinal data on the developmental trajectories of executive functions in preterm individuals are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the longitudinal development of executive functions (inhibition, working memory, cognitive flexibility) in very preterm-born individuals compared to term-born controls.
  • To determine if cognitive deficits in preterm individuals are persistent or represent a transient delay.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal assessment of executive functions in 29 very preterm-born and 25 term-born children.
  • Two time points: childhood (7-12 years) and adolescence (13-16 years).
  • Analysis of individual changes using relative difference scores.

Main Results:

  • Very preterm individuals showed significantly greater improvement in inhibition and cognitive flexibility from childhood to adolescence compared to controls.
  • Preterm individuals demonstrated more frequent improvements in cognitive flexibility (76% vs. 31%).
  • Controls were more likely to show worsening in inhibition (36% vs. 14%).

Conclusions:

  • Healthy very preterm-born individuals exhibit a prolonged developmental trajectory for executive functions, extending into adolescence.
  • Findings suggest a developmental delay rather than persistent cognitive deficits in executive functions for this population.
  • Early executive function development in preterm individuals continues to mature beyond typical developmental timelines.

Keywords:
Executive functionsLongitudinal developmentVery preterm-born children and adolescents

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