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Updated: Dec 31, 2025

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

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

Published on: August 25, 2014

Does preterm birth affect child temperament? A meta-analytic study.

Rafaela G M Cassiano¹, Livio Provenzi², Maria Beatriz Martins Linhares¹

¹Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Avenida Tenente Catão Roxo, 2260, Ribeirão Preto, SP, CEP: 14051-140, Brazil.

Infant Behavior & Development

|January 14, 2020

Summary

Preterm children exhibit a less regulated temperament, showing higher activity and lower attention spans than full-term peers. This difference is more pronounced in extremely preterm infants, impacting behavioral style.

Keywords:

Meta-analysis Prematurity Temperament

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Area of Science:

Developmental Psychology
Pediatric Neuroscience
Behavioral Science

Background:

Temperament differences between preterm and full-term children are not fully understood.
Behavioral style and psychobiological factors may influence these differences.
Understanding moderators is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

To meta-analytically examine temperament variations between preterm and full-term children.
To explore behavioral and psychobiological moderators of prematurity's effect on temperament.
To synthesize existing evidence on preterm infant temperament.

Main Methods:

Systematic literature search across major scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL).
Meta-analysis of data from 22 selected studies.
Comparative analysis of temperament traits, including activity level and attention.

Main Results:

Preterm children displayed significantly higher activity levels compared to full-term children.
Preterm children exhibited lower scores in Attentional Focusing and Attention Span/Persistence.
Extremely preterm children showed even higher activity levels than other preterm groups.

Conclusions:

Preterm children generally present with a less regulated temperament than full-term children.
Prematurity is associated with specific behavioral style differences, particularly in attention.
Findings highlight the need for early developmental support for preterm infants.