Predicting cognitive development and early symptoms of autism spectrum disorder in preterm children: The value of

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Fieke Vlaeminck1, Julie Vermeirsch1, Liedewij Verhaeghe1

  • 1Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

Infant Behavior & Development
|May 22, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Early temperament and sensory processing in preterm infants can predict later cognitive development and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms. These factors, particularly in the second year of life, offer insights into potential developmental trajectories.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neonatal Research
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

  • Preterm infants face heightened risks for neurodevelopmental challenges, including cognitive impairments and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
  • Early identification of predictive markers is crucial for timely intervention in this vulnerable population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To longitudinally investigate the predictive value of early temperament and sensory processing for cognitive development.
  • To examine the association between early temperament and sensory processing with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptomatology in preterm children.
  • To determine the optimal timing for assessing these predictive factors in the first two years of life.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study of 50 preterm infants (mean gestational age 27 weeks).
  • Assessment of temperament and sensory processing at 10, 18, and 24 months corrected age.
  • Evaluation of cognitive development and ASD symptoms at 36 months corrected age.

Main Results:

  • Fewer hospitalization days at birth and lower Activity Level at 18 months predicted better cognitive development.
  • Temperamental Negative Affect was associated with both parent-reported and observed ASD symptomatology.
  • Sensory processing predicted parent-reported ASD symptoms, with predictive utility emerging in the second year of life.

Conclusions:

  • Early temperament and sensory processing are valuable predictors of cognitive outcomes and ASD symptomatology in preterm children.
  • These factors demonstrate predictive potential primarily in the second year of life, highlighting a critical developmental window.
  • Further research in extreme and very preterm populations is warranted to refine predictive models for ASD and cognitive impairments.

Keywords:
Autism spectrum disorderCognitive developmentSensory processingTemperamentVery preterm infants

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