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Subtypes of behavioral functioning in 8-12 year old very preterm children

Carolien A van Houdt1, Jaap Oosterlaan2, Cornelieke S H Aarnoudse-Moens3

  • 1Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Neonatology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Emma Neuroscience Group, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Early Human Development
|February 12, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Two behavioral subtypes were identified in very preterm children: most had few issues, but a significant minority experienced widespread behavioral and neurocognitive deficits. Lower parental education and IQ were linked to these higher problems.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Very preterm children exhibit heterogeneous behavioral functioning difficulties.
  • Identifying distinct behavioral subtypes is crucial for understanding this heterogeneity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Identify behavioral subtypes in very preterm children.
  • Examine origins (neonatal complications, parental education).
  • Investigate associations with neurocognitive deficits (IQ, attention, executive function).

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional cohort study of 135 very preterm children (aged 8-12 years).
  • Utilized parent/teacher questionnaires for behavioral assessment.
  • Administered IQ and neurocognitive tests (attention, executive function).
  • Applied cluster analysis to identify subtypes.

Main Results:

  • Two behavioral subtypes emerged: low problems (76%) and high problems (24%).
  • The high problems subtype was associated with lower parental education, lower IQ, and poorer working memory/inhibition.
  • Neonatal medical complications were not significantly associated with the high problems subtype.

Conclusions:

  • Most very preterm children have low behavioral problems.
  • When problems arise, they are pervasive across domains and linked to neurocognitive deficits.
  • Findings highlight the importance of considering neurocognitive factors in behavioral issues of very preterm children.
Abstract

Keywords:
BehaviorCluster analysisELBWPreterm phenotypeVPT

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