The impact of preterm birth on the executive functioning of preschool children: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Pediatric Neurology
• Child Health Research

Background:

• Preterm birth is a significant global health concern.
• Executive functioning is crucial for academic and social success in early childhood.
• Understanding the long-term neurodevelopmental impact of preterm birth is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the impact of preterm childbirth on executive functioning in preschool-aged children.
• To synthesize current evidence on executive function deficits in preterm-born preschoolers.
• To identify specific domains of executive functioning affected by preterm birth.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search for studies published between 2014 and 2019.
• Keywords used: "executive funct*", "preterm", "child".
• Methodological quality assessed using the STROBE statement; 32 studies reviewed.

Main Results:

• Preschool children born preterm exhibit executive functioning deficits compared to full-term children.
• Deficits observed across global executive function index, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, working memory, and planning.
• These findings were consistent regardless of the degree of prematurity at birth.

Conclusions:

• Preterm birth is associated with significant executive functioning impairments in preschool-aged children.
• Specific executive function domains are affected, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
• Future research should evaluate individual executive function components separately in preterm-born preschoolers.