Newborn Neurobehavior Is Related to Later Neurodevelopment and Social Cognition Skills in Extremely Preterm-Born Children: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study

Frontiers in Psychology

Piia Lönnberg¹  Aulikki Lano¹  Leena Aho¹  Marjo Metsäranta¹  Elina Wolford² 

[1] Department of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland;Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland;

关键词: alertness;    preterm birth;    neonatal orientation;    neurodevelopment;    social cognition;    visuomotor;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2021.710430

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of the neonatal neurobehavioral characteristics to act as an indicator for later neurodevelopment and neurocognitive performance.Methods: Sixty-six infants born extremely preterm (<28 gestational weeks) were followed until 6.5 years. Neurobehavior at term age was assessed by the behavior subscale of the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE) using dichotomic rating, optimal, and non-optimal. The Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales (GMDS) at 2 years, and the Wechsler Intelligence Scales at 6.5 years, and a Neuropsychological Assessment at 6.5 years were used to assess neurodevelopment and neurocognitive performance including social cognition skills.Results: An optimal auditory orientation at term age was associated with better developmental quotients (DQ) in Personal–Social, and Hearing–Language GMDS subscale at 2 years (p < 0.05). An optimal visual alertness was associated with better Total (p < 0.01), Locomotor (p < 0.001), and Eye–Hand Coordination (p < 0.01) DQs at 2 years, and with sensorimotor function (p < 0.001) and social perception (p < 0.01) tests at 6.5 years.Conclusion: The neurobehavioral characteristics of newborns might serve as a precursor of social cognition skills and the HNNE behavior subscale offers a tool to identify infants at risk for later deficits in neurodevelopment and social cognition.

【 授权许可】

Unknown