Daily participation in preterm-born children: An exploratory and comparative study

Preterm birth, particularly with lower gestational age and respiratory complications, can impact neurodevelopmental outcomes and participation in daily activities. Understanding how these children engage in everyday tasks, particularly from the perspective of their parents, is critical for assessing long-term health outcomes and quality of life.

This study aims to assess parental perceptions of participation and daily performance in children born preterm, comparing early preterm infants with and without chronic lung disease, late preterms, and term-born children.

A total of 48 children aged 7-11 years (M = 8.9, SD = 1.1) were examined: 25 born at term (GA ≥ 37.0 weeks), 23 early preterms (GA ≤ 30 weeks) with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), 15 early preterms without BPD, and 21 late preterms (GA 34.0-36.6 weeks). Daily functioning and participation were evaluated using the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE).

While atypical executive function scores were more prevalent among early preterm children with BPD (14.2 %), no statistically significant differences were found in participation across groups. Children with BPD participated in leisure activities at rates comparable to their full-term and preterm peers.

Despite executive function impairments, children born preterm, including those with BPD, exhibited similar participation levels as full-term peers. These findings highlight the participation patterns, which may reflect potential compensatory strategies or other factors of preterm children in daily activities. Long-term monitoring of executive function is necessary, particularly in academic settings, to ensure ongoing support and interventions.