Neurobehavioral symptoms in children born extremely preterm: A Swedish National Study.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of neurobehavioral symptoms at 6.5 years in children born extremely preterm (EPT, <27 weeks' gestation). METHODS: Population-based cohort study of infants born EPT in Sweden from 2004 to 2007. Of 486 survivors 375 were assessed and compared with 369 matched term-born controls. EPT children free from neurosensory and intellectual disabilities (neurodevelopmental disabilities [NDD]-free, n = 236) were compared separately. Standardised questionnaires were used to assess parental ratings of hyperactivity and attention, emotional, peer-relation, conduct and social problems; and deficits in perception, language and memory. RESULTS: EPT children had more reported problems in all assessed neurobehavioral domains than controls, with more than three times greater odds for most outcomes. Except for conduct problems, increased problems were identified also in NDD-free children. The odds of having neurobehavioral problems in ≥3 co-occurring domains were five (whole EPT group) and three (NDD-free group) times higher than in controls. CONCLUSION: EPT children with or without NDD have more neurobehavioral problems in multiple domains than term peers. Ongoing assessments of behaviour until school age or beyond should recognise early symptoms of attention, everyday social problems, perceptual, emotional or language difficulties.

The ability of Bayley-III scores to predict later intelligence in children born extremely preterm.

AIM: To investigate the ability of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-Third Edition (Bayley-III), scores to predict later Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV), performances in a cohort of children born extremely preterm. METHODS: 323 children, born <27 gestational weeks, were tested with the Bayley-III at corrected age 2.5 years and with the WISC-IV at 6.5 years. Regression analyses investigated the association between Bayley-III scores and WISC-IV full-scale intelligence quotient (IQ). The ability of Bayley-III Cognitive Index scores to predict low IQ was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Bayley-III Cognitive Index scores and IQ had a moderately positive correlation and accounted for 38% of the IQ variance. Using a Bayley-III cut-off score of 70, the sensitivity to detect children with IQ<70 was 18%, and false positive rate was 7%. A Bayley-III cut-off score of 85 corresponded to sensitivity and false positive rates of 44% and 7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Results emphasise the relative importance of Bayley-III Cognitive Index scores as predictors of IQ. An 85 score cut-off for suspecting subnormal IQ is supported. A less conservative threshold would increase identification of true cases yet increase the risk of wrongly diagnosing children.

Cognitive profiles of extremely preterm children: Full-Scale IQ hides strengths and weaknesses.

AIM: To study whether a specific cognitive profile can be identified for children born extremely preterm (EPT) by investigating: 1) strengths and weaknesses not revealed by Full-Scale IQ, 2) overlap between different cognitive deficits and 3) proportion of EPT children with multiple deficits. METHODS: We analysed data from the 4th version of Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children in EPT children (n = 359) and matched controls (n = 367), collected within the 6.5-year follow-up of a population-based prospective cohort study. RESULTS: Extremely preterm children performed worse than controls on all measures. Group differences were the largest in Perceptual Reasoning (PRI) and Working Memory (WMI), but differences between indices were small. However, when conducting categorical analyses, deficits in PRI and/or WMI were not more common than other combinations. Many EPT children had no or mild cognitive deficits, although often in multiple domains. CONCLUSION: Extremely preterm children had greater weaknesses in working memory and perceptual abilities. However, detailed analyses of cognitive subscales showed large heterogeneity and provided no support for a specific cognitive profile. In conclusion, Full-Scale IQ scores hide strengths and weaknesses and individual profiles for EPT children need to be considered in order to provide appropriate support.

National population-based cohort study found that visual-motor integration was commonly affected in extremely preterm born children at six-and-a-half years.

AIM: This study aimed to explain the relationship between visual-motor integration (VMI) abilities and extremely preterm (EPT) birth, by exploring the influence of perinatal variables, cognition, manual dexterity and ophthalmological outcomes. METHODS: This was part of the population-based national Extremely Preterm Infant Study in Sweden (EXPRESS) study. We studied 355 children, born at a gestational age of <27 weeks from April 2004 to March 2007, and 364 term-born controls. At six-and-a-half years of age, we assessed VMI, cognitive function, motor skills and vision. VMI impairment was classified as <-1 standard deviation (SD). RESULTS: The mean (SD) VMI score was 87 (±12) in preterm children compared to 98 (±11) in controls (p < 0.001). VMI impairment was present in 55% of preterm infants and in 78% of children born at 22-23 weeks. Male sex and postnatal steroids showed a weak association with poorer visual-motor performance, whereas low manual dexterity and cognitive function showed a stronger association. CONCLUSION: Poor VMI performance was common in this EXPRESS cohort of children born EPT. Its strong association to cognition and manual dexterity confirms that all of these factors need to be taken into account when evaluating risks in preterm born children.

Extreme prematurity, treated retinopathy, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and cerebral palsy are significant risk factors for ophthalmological abnormalities at 6.5 years of age.

AIM: This study evaluated the contributions of various prenatal and postnatal predictive factors to a documented high prevalence of ophthalmological abnormalities in children aged 6.5 years who were born extremely preterm. METHODS: We carried out a prospective population-based study of all children born in Sweden at a gestational age of 22 + 0 to 26 + 6 weeks based on the Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden Study. The main outcome measures were a combined score of visual impairment, refractive errors and strabismus at 6.5 years of age. Models of univariate and multivariable regression were used to analyse potential prenatal and postnatal predictive factors at different clinically relevant time-points from one minute after birth to 30 months. RESULTS: We focused on 399 known extremely preterm survivors and compared them to 300 full-term controls. Significant antecedents for ophthalmological abnormalities included prematurity per se, retinopathy of prematurity that required treatment, severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia and cerebral palsy. Severe intraventricular haemorrhage was no longer a significant risk factor when we adjusted it for the 30-month cognitive and neuromotor development outcomes. CONCLUSION: This time-course risk analysis model showed a changing panorama of significant risk factors for ophthalmological abnormalities in children aged 6.5 years who were born extremely preterm.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Among Extremely Preterm Infants 6.5 Years After Active Perinatal Care in Sweden.

IMPORTANCE: Active perinatal care increases the rate of survival of extremely preterm infants, but there are concerns that improved survival might increase the rate of disabled survivors. OBJECTIVE: To determine the neurodevelopmental outcomes of a national cohort of children 6.5 years of age who had been born extremely preterm (<27 weeks' gestational age) in Sweden. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Population-based prospective cohort study of consecutively born extremely preterm infants. All of these infants were born in Sweden during the period from April 1, 2004, to March 31, 2007. Of 707 live-born extremely preterm infants, 486 (68.7%) survived to 6.5 years of age. These children were assessed and compared with matched controls who had been born at term. Comparison estimates were adjusted for demographic differences. Assessments ended in February 2014, and analysis started thereafter. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Cognitive ability was measured with the fourth edition of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV), and the mean (SD) scores of the children who had been born extremely preterm were compared with those of the controls. Clinical examinations and parental questionnaires were used for diagnosis of cerebral palsy, hearing and vision impairments, and cognition for the children who were not assessed with the WISC-IV. RESULTS: Of 486 eligible infants who were born extremely preterm, 441 (90.7%) were assessed at 6.5 years of age (59 by medical record review only) alongside 371 controls. The adjusted mean (SD) full-scale WISC-IV score was 14.2 (95% CI, 12.1-16.3) points lower for children who had been born extremely preterm than for controls. Cognitive disability was moderate for 18.8% of extremely preterm children and 2.2% of controls (P < .001), and it was severe for 11.1% of extremely preterm children and 0.3% of controls (P < .001). Cerebral palsy was observed in 9.5% of extremely preterm children and 0.0% of controls (P < .001), blindness was observed in 2.0% of extremely preterm children and 0.0% of controls (P < .001), and hearing impairment was observed in 2.1% of extremely preterm children and 0.5% of controls (P = .07). Overall, 36.1% (95% CI, 31.7%-40.6%) of extremely preterm children had no disability, 30.4% (95% CI 26.3%-34.8%) had mild disability, 20.2% (95% CI, 16.6%-24.2%) had moderate disability, and 13.4% (95% CI, 10.5%-16.9%) had severe disability. For extremely preterm children, moderate or severe overall disability decreased with gestational age at birth (adjusted odds ratio per week, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.54-0.79]; P < .001) and increased from 26.6% to 33.5% (P = .01) for children assessed both at 2.5 and 6.5 years. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Of the 441 extremely preterm infants who had received active perinatal care, 293 (66.4%) had no or mild disability at 6.5 years; of the 371 controls, 11 (3.0%) had moderate or severe disability. Disability rates at 6.5 years increased relative to the rates at 2.5 years. Results are relevant for health care professionals and planners, and for clinicians counseling families facing extremely preterm births.

Effect of Delayed Cord Clamping on Neurodevelopment at 4 Years of Age: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Prevention of iron deficiency in infancy may promote neurodevelopment. Delayed umbilical cord clamping (CC) prevents iron deficiency at 4 to 6 months of age, but long-term effects after 12 months of age have not been reported. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of delayed CC compared with early CC on neurodevelopment at 4 years of age. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Follow-up of a randomized clinical trial conducted from April 16, 2008, through May 21, 2010, at a Swedish county hospital. Children who were included in the original study (n = 382) as full-term infants born after a low-risk pregnancy were invited to return for follow-up at 4 years of age. Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-III) and Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Movement ABC) scores (collected between April 18, 2012, and July 5, 2013) were assessed by a blinded psychologist. Between April 11, 2012, and August 13, 2013, parents recorded their child's development using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ) and behavior using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. All data were analyzed by intention to treat. INTERVENTIONS: Randomization to delayed CC (≥180 seconds after delivery) or early CC (≤10 seconds after delivery). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The main outcome was full-scale IQ as assessed by the WPPSI-III. Secondary objectives were development as assessed by the scales from the WPPSI-III and Movement ABC, development as recorded using the ASQ, and behavior using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. RESULTS: We assessed 263 children (68.8%). No differences were found in WPPSI-III scores between groups. Delayed CC improved the adjusted mean differences (AMDs) in the ASQ personal-social (AMD, 2.8; 95% CI, 0.8-4.7) and fine-motor (AMD, 2.1; 95% CI, 0.2-4.0) domains and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire prosocial subscale (AMD, 0.5; 95% CI, >0.0-0.9). Fewer children in the delayed-CC group had results below the cutoff in the ASQ fine-motor domain (11.0% vs 3.7%; P = .02) and the Movement ABC bicycle-trail task (12.9% vs 3.8%; P = .02). Boys who received delayed CC had significantly higher AMDs in the WPPSI-III processing-speed quotient (AMD, 4.2; 95% CI, 0.8-7.6; P = .02), Movement ABC bicycle-trail task (AMD, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.1-1.5; P = .03), and fine-motor (AMD, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.0-8.4; P = .01) and personal-social (AMD, 4.9; 95% CI, 1.6-8.3; P = .004) domains of the ASQ. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Delayed CC compared with early CC improved scores in the fine-motor and social domains at 4 years of age, especially in boys, indicating that optimizing the time to CC may affect neurodevelopment in a low-risk population of children born in a high-income country. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01581489.

Auditory event-related potentials are related to cognition at preschool age after very preterm birth.

BACKGROUND: Auditory event-related potentials (AERP) are neurophysiological correlates of sound perception and cognitive processes. Our aim was to study in very preterm born children at preschool age if AERP correlate with cognitive outcome. METHODS: Seventy children (mean ± SD gestational age 27.4 ± 1.9 wk, birth weight 996 ± 288 g) were investigated at age 4.3-5.3 y with psychological testing (WPPSI-R, four subtests of NEPSY). Electroencephalogram was recorded while they listened to a repeated standard tone, randomly replaced by one of three deviants. Latencies and amplitudes for AERP components and mean amplitudes in successive 50-ms AERP time windows were measured. RESULTS: Better cognitive test results and higher gestational age correlated with shorter P1 latencies and more positive mean amplitudes 150-500 ms after stimulus change onset. Neonatal brain damage was associated with a negative displacement of AERP curves. Neonatal morbidity had an impact on earlier time windows while gestational age and brain damage on both early and later time windows. CONCLUSION: AERP measures were associated with cognitive outcome. Neonatal morbidity mainly affects early cortical auditory encoding, while immaturity and brain damage additionally influence higher cortical functions of auditory perception and distraction. Perinatal auditory environment might play a role in development of auditory processing.

Extremely preterm birth affects boys more and socio-economic and neonatal variables pose sex-specific risks.

AIM: The early identification of at-risk extremely preterm (EPT) children could improve long-term outcomes. This study sought to investigate sex differences in developmental outcomes and to identify sex-specific predictors at two and a half years of age. METHODS: We assessed 217 boys and 181 girls born before 27-week gestation using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition (Bayley-III), as a part of the Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden Study. Sex-specific differences were calculated. Socio-economic, birth and neonatal factors were calculated separately for boys and girls using regression models. RESULTS: Girls scored significantly higher than boys on all Bayley-III indices. In both sexes, brain injury, long-term ventilator treatment and foreign-born mothers predicted lower scores. Receiving breast milk by hospital discharge predicted higher scores. Severe retinopathy of prematurity was the strongest predictor of cognitive and language deficits in boys. High parental education predicted higher cognitive and language scores in girls, whereas severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia was the strongest predictor of motor deficits. CONCLUSION: Extreme prematurity seems to affect boys more than girls. Socio-economic and neonatal factors confer similar risks or protections on both sexes, but some variables pose sex-specific risks. An awareness of risk factors may provide the basis for treatment and follow-up guidelines.

Behavioral outcomes at corrected age 2.5 years in children born extremely preterm.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined a national cohort of 2.5-year-old children born extremely preterm with respect to behavioral problems from the perspective of parents and whether developmental variables mediated the effects of extreme prematurity on behavioral problems. METHODS: As a part of the Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden Study (EXPRESS), 344 children born before 27 weeks of gestation and 338 control children were given the Cognitive, Language, and Motor Scales of the Bayley-III and the Parent report Child Behavior Checklist/1½-5 (CBCL/1½-5). CBCL/1½-5 assigns 7 syndrome scores, further classified into composite scores for internalizing and externalizing behavior as well as total problems. Group differences in behavioral difficulties and prevalence of clinical problems were calculated. Bayley-III scores were used in regression models to determine if developmental factors mediated the effects of extreme prematurity on behavioral problems, after controlling for sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: Preterm children had significantly higher mean T-scores on internalizing, externalizing, and total problems, as compared with the control subjects, but these were still within the average range. However, the proportion of subjects showing behavioral problems within the clinical range was significantly higher in the preterm group. Levels of cognitive, language, and motor development mediated the between-group differences in behavioral problems. CONCLUSION: Our findings encourage behavioral assessments during preschool years and emphasize the importance of considering multifactorial pathways of prediction when examining prematurity outcome.

Ophthalmologic outcome at 30 months' corrected age of a prospective Swedish cohort of children born before 27 weeks of gestation: the extremely preterm infants in sweden study.

IMPORTANCE: Follow-up at 30 months' corrected age reveals eye and visual problems in one-third of children born extremely prematurely (<27 weeks' gestation). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ophthalmologic outcome of extremely preterm children at 30 months' corrected age. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A prospective, population-based follow-up study (Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden Study [EXPRESS]) was conducted in Sweden. The population included extremely preterm infants (<27 weeks' gestation) born in Sweden between 2004 and 2007, of whom 491 survived until age 2.5 years. Screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was performed in the neonatal period. At 30 months' corrected age, an ophthalmologic assessment was performed in 411 of 491 children (83.7%). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Visual acuity, manifest strabismus, and refractive errors were evaluated. RESULTS: Visual impairment was identified in 3.1% of the children, and 1.0% were blind. Refractive errors, defined as myopia less than -3 diopters (D), hypermetropia greater than +3 D, astigmatism 2 D or more, and/or anisometropia 2 D or more, were found in 25.6% of the children, and 14.1% had manifest strabismus. There were significant associations between visual impairment and treated ROP (P = .02), cognitive disability (P < .001), and birth weight (P = .02). Multiple regression analyses revealed significant associations between strabismus and treated ROP (P < .001), cognitive disability (P < .01), and cerebral palsy (P = .02). Refractive errors were significantly correlated with severity of ROP (right eye, P < .001; left eye, P < .01). Children who had been treated for ROP had the highest frequency (69.0%) of eye and visual abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: One-third of the extremely prematurely born children in this study had some kind of eye or visual problems, such as visual impairment, strabismus, or major refractive error. Despite being born extremely preterm, the present cohort has a similar prevalence of blindness and visual impairment as in previous Swedish cohorts of children born less prematurely.

Neurodevelopmental outcome in extremely preterm infants at 2.5 years after active perinatal care in Sweden.

IMPORTANCE: Active perinatal care increases survival of extremely preterm infants; however, improved survival might be associated with increased disability among survivors. OBJECTIVE: To determine neurodevelopmental outcome in extremely preterm children at 2.5 years (corrected age). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Population-based prospective cohort of consecutive extremely preterm infants born before 27 weeks of gestation in Sweden between 2004 and 2007. Of 707 live-born infants, 491 (69%) survived to 2.5 years. Survivors were assessed and compared with singleton control infants who were born at term and matched by sex, ethnicity, and municipality. Assessments ended in February 2010 and comparison estimates were adjusted for demographic differences. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Cognitive, language, and motor development was assessed with Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (3rd edition; Bayley-lll), which are standardized to mean (SD) scores of 100 (15). Clinical examination and parental questionnaires were used for diagnosis of cerebral palsy and visual and hearing impairments. Assessments were made by week of gestational age. RESULTS: At a median age of 30.5 months (corrected), 456 of 491 (94%) extremely preterm children were evaluated (41 by chart review only). For controls, 701 had information on health status and 366 had Bayley-lll assessments. Mean (SD) composite Bayley-III scores (cognition, 94 [12.3]; language, 98 [16.5]; motor, 94 [15.9]) were lower than the corresponding mean scores for controls (cognition, 104 [10.6]; P < .001; adjusted difference in mean scores, 9.2 [99% CI, 6.9-11.5]; language, 109 [12.3]; P < .001; adjusted difference in mean scores, 9.3 [99% Cl, 6.4-12.3]; and motor, 107 [13.7]; P < .001; adjusted difference in mean scores, 12.6 [99% Cl, 9.5-15.6]). Cognitive disability was moderate in 5% of the extremely preterm group vs 0.3% in controls (P < .001) and it was severe in 6.3% of the extremely preterm group vs 0.3% in controls (P < .001). Language disability was moderate in 9.4% of the extremely preterm group vs 2.5% in controls (P < .001) and severe in 6.6% of the extremely preterm group vs 0% in controls (P < .001). Other comparisons between the extremely preterm group vs controls were for cerebral palsy (7.0% vs 0.1%; P < .001), for blindness (0.9% vs 0%; P = .02), and for hearing impairment (moderate and severe, 0.9% vs 0%; P = .02, respectively). Overall, 42% (99% CI, 36%-48%) of extremely preterm children had no disability, 31% (99% CI, 25%-36%) had mild disability, 16% (99% CI, 12%-21%) had moderate disability, and 11% (99% CI, 7.2%-15%) had severe disability. Moderate or severe overall disability decreased with gestational age at birth (22 weeks, 60%; 23 weeks, 51%; 24 weeks, 34%; 25 weeks, 27%; and 26 weeks, 17%; P for trend < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Of children born extremely preterm and receiving active perinatal care, 73% had mild or no disability and neurodevelopmental outcome improved with each week of gestational age. These results are relevant for clinicians counseling families facing extremely preterm birth.

Cognitive function after intrauterine growth restriction and very preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) with absent or reversed end-diastolic blood flow in the umbilical artery and very preterm birth on cognitive outcome at 5 to 8 years of age. METHODS: We studied 34 children with IUGR born at a median of 26.9 gestational weeks (GWs) (range: 24-29 GWs) (PT-IUGR), 34 matched preterm appropriate-for-gestational age (PT-AGA) children, and 34 term AGA children (T-AGA) by using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and Brown's attention-deficit disorder (ADD) scales. RESULTS: The PT-IUGR group had mean (SD) scores on the verbal IQ (VIQ) and full-scale IQ (FSIQ) of 83.8 (17.3) and 78.9 (16.6), respectively, compared with the PT-AGA group, which had scores of 96.0 (14.5) and 90.1 (14.2) (P = .003 and P < .007), and the T-AGA group, which had scores of 101.3 (12) and 102.9 (13.2) (P < .001 and P < 001), respectively. The VIQ difference remained significant after adjustment for parental level of education, gestational age at birth, and neonatal morbidity. Performance IQ (PIQ) did not differ between the PT-IUGR and PT-AGA groups; their mean PIQs were lower than that of the T-AGA group (P < .001). Boys in the PT-IUGR group scored lower than girls in VIQ and FSIQ (P = .005 and .007, respectively). Behavior and ADD scores did not differ between the preterm groups. CONCLUSIONS: Children born very preterm after IUGR have an increased risk for cognitive impairment at early school age compared with children delivered very preterm for other reasons. Differences in cognitive outcome were restricted to boys who may have been especially vulnerable to the influence of IUGR and very preterm birth.

Follow-up of adolescents born extremely preterm: self-perceived mental health, social and relational outcomes.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate whether adolescents born extremely preterm differ from full-term born regarding mental health, social support and attachment style. METHODS: Fifty-one young adults born before the 29th gestational week and 54 born at term were investigated by self-reports. Psychological health was measured by the Beck Youth Inventories of Emotional and Social Impairment, social support with the Interview Schedule of Social Interaction and attachment style with the Relationship Questionnaire. RESULTS: No difference was noted regarding mental health. The preterm group described themselves as having less social interaction (p ≤ 0.001), but no difference was obtained regarding satisfaction with this circumstance. The prematurely born judged a preoccupied attachment style, concordant with a model of a negative self and positive other, to be applicable more often than the controls (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Extremely preterm born adolescents did not experience more problems regarding mental health compared to controls. Nevertheless, they reported less social interaction and, to a greater extent, a negative model of self.

Adolescents born extremely preterm: behavioral outcomes and quality of life.

Fifty-two extremely premature born and 54 full-term controls were assessed regarding behavioral outcomes, risk-taking and self-perceived quality of life. Behavioral outcomes were assessed with the Achenbach Youth Self Report; risk-taking was estimated regarding alcohol and nicotine use; self-perceived quality of life and future expectations were rated; and attention and hyperactivity problems were surveyed retrospectively with the Wender Utah Rating Scale. The prematurely born reported fewer problems than full-term born on the externalizing scale (delinquent behavior and aggressive behaviour); and they reported less alcohol consumption. No difference was observed between the two groups concerning nicotine use, views about quality of life and expectations for the future or in the retrospective assessment of attention and hyper-activity problems. Conclusively, the prematurely born adolescents described a quality of life and future expectations comparable to full-term born controls. They also reported fewer behavioral problems and less risk-taking behavior.

Dental fear and anxiety and oral health behaviour in 12- to 14-year-olds born preterm.

BACKGROUND: An enhanced frequency of cognitive and behavioural disturbances has been reported in preterm children. It is not known if this affects their perceptions of or behaviour in the dental care situation. HYPOTHESIS: The hypotheses were that preterm (PT) children aged 12-14 years more often exhibit dental fear and anxiety (DFA) than full-term controls (C), while no differences were expected regarding oral health behaviour. METHODS: One hundred and nine PT and 108 C children took part in the present questionnaire study. DFA was assessed using the Children's Fear Survey Schedule - Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS). In addition the questionnaire covered items including satisfaction with received dental care, oral health behaviour and medical health. RESULTS: The children's CFSS-DS scores revealed no differences between the PT and C groups. Regarding oral health behaviour there were no differences, except that PT children more often used dental floss and extra fluoride supplements. PT children reported more medical health problems than C children. CONCLUSIONS: Preterm (PT) children 12- to 14-years-old, as well as C of same age group, seem to be satisfied with their dental care and display low prevalence of DFA. Still, a higher frequency of medical health problems in the PT children suggests that these children should be regarded as potential risk patients for oral health problems.

Follow-up of adolescents born extremely preterm: cognitive function and health at 18 years of age.

AIM: To compare cognitive ability, school achievement and self-perceived health aspects in adolescents born extremely preterm and term born controls. METHOD: Fifty-two, out of 61, extremely preterm born adolescents (mean age 18.4 years) and 54 matched controls (mean age 18.3 years) born at full term were investigated; intelligence quotient was measured with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale; cognitive flexibility, i.e. a measure of visuomotor speed and attention, with the Trail Making Test; school achievement and choice of upper secondary programmes were reported. Health aspects were investigated in a semi structured interview. RESULT: The adolescents born prematurely had significantly lower IQ than the controls, mean 93 (SD 15.4) vs 106 (12.5), p < 0.001; showed slower visuomotor speed; had lower grades from compulsory school (192.7 vs 234.8, p < 0.001); and chose to a greater extent practical upper secondary school programmes. There were no differences between the groups in health care consumption, prevalence of chronic disease, allergy or infectious diseases. CONCLUSION: Poorer cognitive performance, in extremely preterm born individuals, seems to persist into late adolescence. Fewer prematurely born than control chose theoretical upper secondary school programmes. However, no difference was noted regarding self-perceived health aspects.

Parental perspectives on preterm children's oral health behaviour and experience of dental care during preschool and early school years.

BACKGROUND: Children born preterm (PT) have medical conditions and impairments that may affect their oral health. Hypothesis. Our hypothesis for the study was that PT children display more dental behaviour management problems (BMPs) and less favourable oral health behaviour than controls (C). METHODS: Parents of 153 PT children and 153 C children were interviewed regarding the children's oral health behaviour and experience of dental care on two occasions, 2 years apart. The interviews concerned the preschool period and the early school years, respectively. RESULTS: BMPs were more common in PT children of preschool age, but not during the early school years. Regarding oral health behaviour, there were no differences between the groups, except that PT children had more problems with toothbrushing than C children in the preschool period, in spite of the fact that the PT group reported more medical health problems and more anxious behaviour and indications of cognitive problems than the C group. CONCLUSIONS: Children born PT exhibit several risk factors for both BMP and impaired oral health. It is essential that this group of patients is identified early and receives special attention from the dental services.

Dental behavioural management problems and dental caries prevalence in 3- to 6-year-old Swedish children born preterm.

BACKGROUND: Today, most children born preterm survive without major impairments. But high frequencies of cognitive and behavioural difficulties arise. Studies on dental behavioural management problems (DBMP) in these children are lacking. In addition, studies on caries prevalence are few and inconclusive. AIM: This study aims to compare the frequency of behavioural problems and poor compliance with dental treatment in preschool children born preterm with those born full-term. The prevalence of caries was also studied. METHODS: The study group included 187 children born between 23 and 32 weeks of gestation. The control group constituted full-term children matched by age, sex, immigrant background, and dental operator. DBMP, number of dental visits, missed appointments, and caries between ages 3 and 6 were noted. RESULTS: At age 3, but not at age 6, the prevalence of DBMP at clinical examinations was significantly higher in preterm children compared with the control group. Of the children who received dental treatments during preschool years, preterm children displayed significantly more DBMP. No significant difference in dental visits or in caries prevalence was found. Preterm children, however, missed significantly more dental appointments. CONCLUSION: Children born preterm display a higher prevalence of DBMP at dental examinations and treatments during preschool years.