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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Changes in emotional problems, hyperactivity and conduct problems in moderate to late preterm children and
Ayten Bilgin1,2, Dieter Wolke2,3, Nicole Baumann2
1School of Psychology University of Kent Canterbury UK.
Insights
Moderate to late preterm birth is linked to increased emotional and hyperactivity problems in children and adolescents, with these issues rising over time. Awareness is crucial for preventing long-term negative outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatric Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Preterm birth is a known risk factor for emotional and behavioral issues in children and adolescents.
- Despite advances in neonatal care, the impact of moderate to late preterm birth on these problems has been under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine trends in emotional, hyperactivity, and conduct problems in moderate to late preterm (MLPT) versus full-term (FT) children and adolescents over several decades.
- To assess whether improvements in neonatal care have reduced behavioral disparities between MLPT and FT individuals.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from four UK population-based studies: NCDS (1958), BCS70 (1970), ALSPAC (1991-1992), and MCS (2000-2002).
- Assessed emotional problems, hyperactivity, and conduct problems using mother-reports (ages 5-16) and self-reports (adolescence).
Main Results:
- In the most recent cohort, MLPT children showed higher mother-reported emotional problems and hyperactivity in late childhood and adolescence compared to FT children.
- Mother-reported conduct problems were higher in MLPT children in late childhood in the oldest and most recent cohorts, but lower in adolescence in the 1991-1992 cohort.
- Trends indicate an increase in mother-reported emotional problems and hyperactivity for MLPT individuals from 1958 to 2000-2002.
Conclusions:
- Mother-reported emotional and hyperactivity problems in moderate to late preterm children have increased over time, suggesting persistent or worsening disparities.
- Self-reported emotional problems in adolescence did not differ between MLPT and FT groups in recent cohorts.
- Highlights the need for increased teacher awareness regarding the association between moderate to late preterm birth and behavioral/emotional challenges to mitigate long-term consequences.
Background:
Preterm birth is a risk factor for the development of emotional and behavioural problems in childhood and adolescence. Given the substantial improvements in neonatal care across decades, it has been expected that the difference in emotional problems, hyperactivity, and conduct problems between moderate to late preterm (MLPT) and full term (FT) children and adolescents have declined in recent years.
Methods:
Data from four UK population-based studies were used: The National Child Development Study (NCDS; 1958), the British Cohort Study (BCS70; 1970), the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC, 1991-1992) and the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS; 2000-2002). Emotional problems, hyperactivity and conduct problems were assessed with mother-reports in early childhood (5-7 years), late childhood (10-11 years) and adolescence (14-16 years). Furthermore, emotional problems were self-reported in adolescence in BCS70, ALSPAC and MCS.
Results:
In the most recent cohort, the MLPT group had higher mother-reported emotional problems than those born FT in late childhood and adolescence, whereas there were no differences in self-reported emotional problems in adolescence. Regarding mother-reported hyperactivity symptoms, the MLPT group had higher scores than the FT group in the two most recent cohorts in late childhood and in the most recent cohort in adolescence. Regarding mother-reported conduct problems, MLPT children had significantly higher scores than the FT children in the oldest and in the most recent cohort in late childhood. On the other hand, in adolescence, MLPT children had significantly lower scores in conduct problems in comparison to FT children in the cohort born in 1991-1992.
Conclusions:
Mother-reported emotional problems and hyperactivity symptoms of those born MLPT have increased from the birth years 1958 to 2000-2002 during late childhood and adolescence, whereas self-reported emotional problems were similar in MLPT and FT groups during adolescence from 1970 to 2000-2002. Findings are less consistent regarding conduct problems. The current findings highlight the importance of raising the awareness of teachers about the association between MLPT birth and behavioural and emotional problems in late childhood and adolescence to prevent the long-term negative outcomes associated with the sequalae of MLPT birth.
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