Dr. Adams
09-25-2008, 10:34 AM
"At age 6 years, children who were born "at the limits of viability" -- 25 weeks of gestation or less -- are significantly more likely to have behavior and emotional problems than term-born children, independent of other disabilities, a study shows.
The number of extremely preterm children with behavior problems is also substantially higher than in very preterm (<32 weeks) or preterm children (<37 weeks) gestation.
Extremely preterm boys are more often affected across the range of problems than extremely preterm girls. Based on parents' and teachers' responses to a standard behavior assessment (the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), behavior problems "in the clinical range" were evident in 19.4% of extremely preterm children (23.2% boys; 15.6% girls) compared with only 3.4% of control children (4.6% boys; 2.5% girls). Hyperactivity, seen in 30.6% of extremely preterm children compared with 8.8% of control children, and conduct problems, found in 12.5% and 5.4%, respectively, were mostly accounted for by the reduction in general cognitive abilities in the extremely preterm children.
However, problems with peers and difficulties with attention and emotional control could not be explained by cognitive deficits. Attention problems were seen in 33.3% of extremely preterm children versus 6.8% of control children; peer relationship problems in 25.4% and 5.4%, respectively; and emotional problems in 13.5% and 4.1%, respectively."
Pediatrics 2008;122:562-573.
The number of extremely preterm children with behavior problems is also substantially higher than in very preterm (<32 weeks) or preterm children (<37 weeks) gestation.
Extremely preterm boys are more often affected across the range of problems than extremely preterm girls. Based on parents' and teachers' responses to a standard behavior assessment (the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), behavior problems "in the clinical range" were evident in 19.4% of extremely preterm children (23.2% boys; 15.6% girls) compared with only 3.4% of control children (4.6% boys; 2.5% girls). Hyperactivity, seen in 30.6% of extremely preterm children compared with 8.8% of control children, and conduct problems, found in 12.5% and 5.4%, respectively, were mostly accounted for by the reduction in general cognitive abilities in the extremely preterm children.
However, problems with peers and difficulties with attention and emotional control could not be explained by cognitive deficits. Attention problems were seen in 33.3% of extremely preterm children versus 6.8% of control children; peer relationship problems in 25.4% and 5.4%, respectively; and emotional problems in 13.5% and 4.1%, respectively."
Pediatrics 2008;122:562-573.