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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

Personality and behaviour in eight-year-old, non-handicapped children with birth weight under 1500 g

K Sommerfelt1, B Ellertsen, T Markestad

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, University of Bergen, Norway.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|September 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Very low-birth-weight (VLBW) children show more behavioral and learning difficulties than peers. These issues persist regardless of socioeconomic status, indicating VLBW is a significant risk factor.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants represent a vulnerable population with potential long-term developmental challenges.
  • Understanding the behavioral and cognitive outcomes of VLBW survivors is crucial for early intervention and support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the personality and behavioral characteristics of VLBW children with term-born controls at eight years of age.
  • To investigate the influence of socioeconomic status on the developmental outcomes of VLBW children.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based cohort study comparing 29 VLBW infants with 29 matched term controls at age eight.
  • Assessment using a questionnaire personality inventory for children, alongside IQ and motor ability evaluations.

Main Results:

  • VLBW children exhibited lower mean IQ and motor abilities compared to controls.
  • VLBW children experienced more learning difficulties, school coping problems, and behavioral issues (conduct and emotional), particularly VLBW boys.
  • These differences remained significant even after controlling for socioeconomic status, except for conduct problems.

Conclusions:

  • Very low-birth-weight is a potential risk factor for school coping and behavioral problems, independent of socioeconomic status.
  • Impaired cognitive and neuromotor function often coexist with these behavioral challenges in VLBW individuals.
  • Early identification and targeted support are essential for VLBW children facing developmental and behavioral hurdles.

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