Visual attention and processing function in relation to executive functioning in very preterm-born children aged...

Area of Science:

• Developmental Neuroscience
• Pediatric Psychology

Background:

• Very preterm children face heightened risks for executive function (EF) deficits and delayed visual orienting function (VOF) compared to term-born peers.
• Early visual attention is crucial for developing executive functions in young children.
• Visual orienting function (VOF) offers an objective measure of early attentional development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between objective visual orienting function (VOF) and subjective parent-reported executive functions (EF) in very preterm children at 3 years corrected age.
• To identify potential links between visual attention and executive function development in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort study (BOND) included 90 children born before 30 weeks gestation.
• Visual orienting function (VOF) was assessed using eye-tracking, and executive functions (EF) via the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function–Preschool version (BRIEF-P).
• Multivariable regression analyses explored associations between VOF and EF scores.

Main Results:

• Abnormal VOF was identified in 31% of participants, and abnormal global EF scores in 41%.
• No significant association was found between abnormal VOF and global or domain-level EF scores.
• Children with abnormal VOF showed a higher likelihood of parent-reported attentional problems, specifically being "easily sidetracked" (OR 4.18) and having a "short attention span" (OR 4.52).

Conclusions:

• While abnormal visual orienting function (VOF) did not correlate with overall parent-reported executive functions (EF) at 3 years corrected age, specific attention and concentration difficulties were linked.
• These findings suggest a targeted relationship between VOF and certain EF components in very preterm children.
• Further research is warranted to explore the clinical utility of early VOF assessments for identifying executive function challenges in preterm infants.