Comparing behavioural outcomes in children born extremely preterm between 2006 and 1995: the EPICure studies

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Medicine
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Longitudinal Cohort Studies

Background:

• Children born extremely preterm (EP) face heightened risks for neurocognitive and behavioral issues.
• This study examines if behavioral outcomes have changed over time with improved survival rates for EP infants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare behavioral outcomes at 11 years of age in two cohorts of EP children born in 1995 and 2006.
• To assess changes in neurocognitive and behavioral morbidity in EP children over time.

Main Methods:

• Prospective comparison of two national cohorts: EPICure (1995) and EPICure2 (2006).
• Behavioral assessments at 11 years using Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS), and Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ).
• Outcomes compared between EP and term-born children within each cohort and between the two EP cohorts.

Main Results:

• EP children in both cohorts exhibited more behavioral difficulties than term-born children.
• No significant improvement in mean scores or clinical difficulties for EP children between 1995 and 2006 cohorts.
• EP children born in 2006 had significantly higher SDQ and ADHD-RS scores compared to EP children born in 1995.

Conclusions:

• Behavioral outcomes for extremely preterm children have not improved between 1995 and 2006.
• EP children born in 2006 demonstrated worse outcomes relative to term-born peers compared to the 1995 cohort.
• Continued long-term clinical follow-up and psychological support are essential for EP children.