Emotional and behavioural outcomes at 8 years of age in preterm-born children: A longitudinal study.
Acta Paediatr 2023;
112:993-1000. [PMID:
36815251 DOI:
10.1111/apa.16722]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
AIM
To evaluate the predictive value of perinatal factors and neurodevelopmental evaluation in the emotional and behavioural outcomes in preterm-born children at 7-9 years of age.
METHODS
We evaluated the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) extended score at 8.2 ± 0.2 years, among 70 preterm-born children (32 early and 38 moderately preterms) with a previous Bayley-III neurodevelopmental evaluation.
RESULTS
Early compared to moderately preterms had a higher total SDQ (12 compared to 8, p = 0.031), and emotional symptoms score (4 compared to 3, p = 0.022); no significant differences were recorded in abnormal/borderline-scored children between the two groups. The total SDQ and emotional symptoms scores were significantly correlated with gestational age, birth weight, perinatal factors and the cognitive and motor Bayley-III scores. Early prematurity was associated with the total SDQ score (beta 2.09, 95% CI 1.32, 3.87), and the score of emotional symptoms (beta 1.70, 95% CI 1.38, 2.19), after adjusting for sex, neonatal sepsis and the existence of an older sibling.
CONCLUSION
Prematurity, birth weight, perinatal factors and the cognitive and motor Bayley-III scores were significantly associated with the total SDQ and the emotional symptoms score, in preterm-born children.
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