AIM: To assess the development of preterm infants from 40 weeks gestational age to 18 months corrected age to identify early predictors of later development. METHODS: Fifty-one infants were involved. Infant development was assessed at 40 and 44 weeks gestational age with the Brazelton neonatal behavioral assessment scale and a self-regulation scale and at 3, 6, 10, 18 months corrected age with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. The quality of general movements was assessed at 1 and 3 months corrected age and maternal attachment style at infant's age of 6 months corrected age with the Relation Scale Questionnaire. RESULTS: At term age and 1-month corrected age, preterm infants were less mature and had lower levels of self-regulation than full-term infants. At 3 months corrected age, a higher proportion of preterm infants (43%) had mildly abnormal motor quality compared to the general population (25%). At all follow-ups, preterm infants had delayed mental, motor and behavioural development, which was associated with the level of self-regulation, motor quality and maternal attachment style. Maternal education level was the most predominant background factor related to infant development. CONCLUSION: Preterm infants show early-in-life deviations in self-regulation, motor quality and development. These deviations are risk factors for later optimal functioning.
AIM: To assess the development of preterm infants from 40 weeks gestational age to 18 months corrected age to identify early predictors of later development. METHODS: Fifty-one infants were involved. Infant development was assessed at 40 and 44 weeks gestational age with the Brazelton neonatal behavioral assessment scale and a self-regulation scale and at 3, 6, 10, 18 months corrected age with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. The quality of general movements was assessed at 1 and 3 months corrected age and maternal attachment style at infant's age of 6 months corrected age with the Relation Scale Questionnaire. RESULTS: At term age and 1-month corrected age, preterm infants were less mature and had lower levels of self-regulation than full-term infants. At 3 months corrected age, a higher proportion of preterm infants (43%) had mildly abnormal motor quality compared to the general population (25%). At all follow-ups, preterm infants had delayed mental, motor and behavioural development, which was associated with the level of self-regulation, motor quality and maternal attachment style. Maternal education level was the most predominant background factor related to infant development. CONCLUSION: Preterm infants show early-in-life deviations in self-regulation, motor quality and development. These deviations are risk factors for later optimal functioning.
Authors: Jennifer E McIntosh; Craig A Olsson; Melanie Schuijers; Evelyn S Tan; Felicity Painter; Alexandra Schnabel; Genevieve LeBas; Shelby Higgs-Howarth; Michelle Benstead; Anna T Booth; Delyse Hutchinson Journal: Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev Date: 2021-06-14
Authors: Julie Poehlmann-Tynan; Emily D Gerstein; Cynthia Burnson; Lindsay Weymouth; Daniel M Bolt; Sarah Maleck; A J Schwichtenberg Journal: Dev Psychopathol Date: 2014-09-08