Temperament and behavior in toddlers born preterm with related clinical problems

• Published in: Early human development Vol. 112; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Cassiano, Rafaela Guilherme Monte, Gaspardo, Claudia Maria, Faciroli, Ricardo Augusto de Deus, Martinez, Francisco Eulógio, Linhares, Maria Beatriz Martins
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01-09-2017
• Subjects: Advanced Basic Science; Behavior; Bronchopulmonary dysplasia; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia - psychology; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Behavior; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature - growth & development; Infant, Premature - psychology; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight - growth & development; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight - psychology; Male; Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine; Prematurity; Problem Behavior; Retinopathy of prematurity; Retinopathy of Prematurity - psychology; Temperament; ADHD; No-BPD; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; variance inflation factor; Child Behavior Checklist 1½-5; NICU; bronchopulmonary dysplasia; No-ROP; ECBQ; Neonatal Infant Stressor Scale; without bronchopulmonary dysplasia; retinopathy of prematurity; Clinical Risk Index for Babies; Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel; CNPq; Hospital of Clinics of Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo; CRIB; VPT; Behavior; National Council for Scientific and Technological Development; MANOVA; São Paulo Research Foundation; without retinopathy of prematurity; FAPESP; CCEB; Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Temperament; CAPES; Criteria for Economic Classification in Brazil; PT-M/T; ROP; VIF; very preterm; HCRPMS-USP; Prematurity; BPD; CBCL1½-5; moderate/late preterm; Multivariate Analysis of Variance; NISS; Retinopathy of prematurity; Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
• ISSN: 0378-3782; 1872-6232
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2017.06.003

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to compare temperament and behavior profiles among groups of preterm toddlers differentiated by level of prematurity and the presence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), controlling for neonatal clinical conditions and chronological age. Method The sample comprised 100 preterm toddlers segregated according to level of prematurity (75 very preterm and 25 moderate/late preterm) and presence of BPD (n = 36) and ROP (n = 63). Temperament was assessed by the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire and behavior by the Child Behavior Checklist. The MANOVA was performed with a post-hoc univariate test. Results The level of prematurity and the presence of BPD and ROP did not affect temperament and behavioral problems in toddlers born preterm. However, the covariates age and length of stay in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) affected temperament and behavioral problems, respectively. The older toddlers showed higher inhibitory control and lower activity levels than younger toddlers (range of 18–36 months-old). Additionally, toddlers who stayed in the NICU longer showed more pervasive development and emotionally reactive problems than toddlers who stayed in NICU for less time. Conclusion The level of prematurity and the presence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy of prematurity did not affect temperament and behavioral problems in toddlers born preterm. However, a longer stay in the NICU increased the risk for behavioral problems, and age enhanced the regulation of temperament at toddlerhood.