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Updated: Jun 26, 2025
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Health-related quality of life at age 10 years in children born extremely preterm
Catherine Call1, Ali Oran2, T Michael O'Shea3
1Department of Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Insights
Maternal socioeconomic status and health factors impact the quality of life (QoL) for children born extremely preterm. Lower maternal education and public assistance were linked to poorer child QoL outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Pediatric health outcomes
- Socioeconomic determinants of health
Background:
- Extremely preterm birth (< 28 weeks gestation) poses significant risks for long-term child health.
- Health-related quality of life (QoL) is a crucial measure of well-being in childhood.
- Understanding factors influencing QoL in this vulnerable population is essential for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between prenatal maternal health and socioeconomic status (SES) and health-related QoL in 10-year-old children born extremely preterm.
- To identify specific maternal factors that may negatively impact child QoL.
- To inform potential interventions aimed at improving long-term outcomes for extremely preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns (ELGAN) Study cohort.
- Assessment of QoL at 10 years using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory.
- Multivariate regression models to analyze associations between maternal factors and child QoL.
Main Results:
- Of 889 children evaluated at age 10, lower maternal age, lack of college education, public insurance, and SNAP receipt were associated with lower QoL scores.
- Specific maternal health factors also demonstrated an association with reduced child QoL.
- These findings highlight the complex interplay of maternal and social determinants on child health outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Potentially modifiable maternal health and social factors are significantly associated with lower parent-reported child QoL in multiple domains.
- Early identification of at-risk mothers and children can facilitate timely support and interventions.
- Addressing socioeconomic disparities and maternal health is critical for improving the long-term well-being of extremely preterm survivors.
Objective:
To evaluate the association between prenatal maternal health and socioeconomic status (SES) and health-related quality of life (QoL) among 10-year-old children born extremely preterm.
Design/ Methods:
Retrospective analysis of the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns (ELGAN) Study cohort of infants born < 28 weeks gestational age. QoL was assessed at 10 years of age using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Multivariate regression models were used for analyses.
Results:
Of 1198 participants who survived until 10 years of age, 889 (72.2%) were evaluated. Lower maternal age, lack of college education; receipt of public insurance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were associated with lower QoL scores. Specific maternal health factors were also associated with lower child QoL scores.
Conclusions:
Specific, potentially modifiable, maternal health and social factors are associated with lower scores on a measure of parent-reported child QoL across multiple domains for children born extremely preterm.
