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[Subjective evaluation by parents and objective findings in former perinatal risk children]
1Medizinische Universitätskinderklinik, Inselspital Bern.
Insights
Social factors significantly impact child development more than perinatal risks. At-risk newborns often experience behavioral issues and limited social networks, despite similar cognitive test results compared to siblings.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Individual perinatal risk factors show no consistent correlation with long-term child outcomes.
- Child development is significantly influenced by social factors rather than solely by perinatal events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the developmental outcomes of at-risk newborns with their healthy siblings.
- To investigate the influence of parental perceptions and social factors on the development of children with perinatal risks.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study comparing 26 at-risk newborns with same-sex healthy siblings 10-16 years later.
- Data collection through interviews, questionnaires, and neuropsychological testing.
- Analysis of parental assessments versus objective criteria like need for professional help.
Main Results:
- At-risk children perceived by parents as having a special family position, exhibiting overprotectiveness.
- Increased educational and behavioral problems, and a limited social network in at-risk children.
- No significant neuropsychological differences except for the d2 test; however, at-risk children showed higher rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (F90.0) and learning disturbances (F81).
Conclusions:
- Perinatal risk factors alone have limited predictive value for developmental outcomes.
- Social and familial factors play a crucial role in the development of at-risk children.
- Targeted parental support is essential for families with at-risk newborns.
Abstract:
Several studies have shown no correlation between individual perinatal risk factors and outcome. Rather, the children's development depends more on social factors. In our retrospective study we compared the development of 26 at-risk newborns with that of a same-sex healthy sibling 10 to 16 years later. Data were collected by interview, questionnaires and neuropsychological tests. In the parents' view, the children who were at-risk newborns had a special position in the family (close mother-child relationship, overprotectiveness, child cause for concern). They had more educational and behavioral problems and their social network was limited. With one exception (d2 test), the neuropsychological tests showed no significant differences between the two groups of children. However, overall the at-risk children had more attention deficit disorders with hyperactivity (ICD-10, F90.0) and more selected learning disturbances (F81). A division of the children into those with minor and major perinatal risk factors was not of predictive value for outcome. There was only a low correlation between the parent's assessments of the at-risk children and more objective criteria (need for professional help or special schooling). The authors discuss the types of support that should be provided to parents with at-risk newborns.