Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Mental Health Outcomes in Children Born Late Preterm and Early Term

Shunsuke Sato1, Yayoi Murano2, Yuki Someya3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|May 26, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Late preterm birth is linked to increased emotional symptoms and peer issues in children. Early term birth did not show significant mental health differences compared to full term birth.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Assessing mental health in children born late preterm and early term is crucial.
  • The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a key tool for evaluating child mental health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare mental health outcomes in children born late preterm and early term versus those born at term.
  • To identify specific areas of difficulty or strength associated with different birth timings.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from the Formation of Exercise Habits Project from Early Childhood.
  • Comparison of SDQ scores across groups (late preterm, early term, term) aged 3-5 years.
  • Statistical adjustments for sex, economic status, and fetal growth restriction.

Main Results:

  • Late preterm birth was significantly associated with higher emotional symptoms and peer problems.
  • Children born late preterm also showed higher total difficulty scores.
  • Lower prosocial behavior scores were observed in the late preterm group.

Conclusions:

  • Late preterm birth is a significant risk factor for adverse mental health outcomes in children.
  • Healthcare providers must be vigilant in identifying and managing mental health challenges in late preterm infants.
  • Further research may explore interventions to mitigate these risks.
Abstract

Keywords:
Strength and Difficulties Questionnaireearly termlate pretermmental healthpreterm

More Related Videos

Clinical Practice Protocol of Creative Music Therapy for Preterm Infants and Their Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit11:50

Clinical Practice Protocol of Creative Music Therapy for Preterm Infants and Their Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Published on: January 7, 2020

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Relationship with Parents: Attachment01:28

Relationship with Parents: Attachment

Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...