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Risk for Behavioral Problems Independent of Cognitive Functioning in Children Born at Low Gestational Ages

Erik Domellöf1, Anna-Maria Johansson1, Aijaz Farooqi2

  • 1Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.

Frontiers in Pediatrics
|July 18, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Children born preterm, especially extremely preterm, face long-term risks for lower cognitive performance and increased behavioral issues. Shorter gestational age is a key predictor of these challenges, even without severe complications.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Preterm birth (PT) affects cognitive and behavioral development.
  • Gestational age (GA) is a critical factor in long-term outcomes.
  • Understanding risks in PT children without major impairments is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate cognitive and behavioral outcomes in school-aged children born preterm.
  • To examine the relationship between gestational age and these outcomes.
  • To identify risk factors beyond severe perinatal complications.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) data.
  • Comparison between 51 preterm children and 57 full-term controls.
  • Assessment of children aged 7-8 years with varying gestational ages (23-35 weeks).

Main Results:

  • Preterm children, particularly those extremely preterm (GA < 28 weeks), exhibited lower cognitive scores and higher behavioral problem scores.
  • Gestational age significantly predicted cognitive functioning and behavioral problems (affective, attention-deficit/hyperactivity) within the preterm group.
  • Global cognitive functioning did not independently predict behavioral outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Short gestation is an independent risk factor for long-term negative mental health effects in preterm children, even without severe complications.
  • Reduced growth and lower parental education may exacerbate cognitive and behavioral risks in preterm populations.
  • Early identification and intervention are vital for mitigating long-term effects of preterm birth.

Keywords:
CBCL 6–18IQWISC-IVchildrengestational agegrowthpreterm

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