526 - Parent-reported behavioral outcomes of premature children from infancy to school age.

Publication Number: 526.5866

Julia S.. Meijer, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands; Sanne Leenen, Máxima Medical Centre, Venlo, Limburg, Netherlands; Brigitte Vugs, Maxima MC, Veldhoven, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands; Pauline E. van beek, Máxima Medical Center, Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; Ellen de Kort, Maxima MC, Veldhoven, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands; Peter Andriessen, Maxima Medical Center, Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands

Background: Premature children are at risk of developing behavioral problems, including limited attention, hyperactivity and lower adaptive abilities. The parent-report Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) is commonly used to assess such behaviors. However, in-depth behavioral development over time as well as the impact of perinatal and socioeconomic factors remain underexplored.

Objective: To explore associations between perinatal and socioeconomic factors and longitudinal CBCL outcomes.

Design/Methods: A single-center cohort study including children born before 30 weeks’ gestation between January 2010 and April 2016. CBCL questionnaires were administered at ages 2, 5.5 and 8. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate associations between perinatal factors and CBCL outcomes.

Results: Complete CBCL data was available for 232 (42%) of 558 eligible children. Average maternal age and education level were higher in the group of children with complete follow up. These children were less likely to have undergone laparotomy than those lost to follow-up (Table 1). Minimal behavioral problems were reported, with parental perceptions remaining stable over time (Figure 1). Female gender, high maternal education and laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity were associated with fewer problems, whereas postnatal corticosteroid administration was linked to increased behavioral concerns (Table 2).

Conclusion(s): We found minimal behavioral problems in very premature children, with parental perceptions remaining stable over time. Socioeconomic factors remain significant, whereas the impact of medical interventions appears to decrease from infancy to school-age.

Table 1
Baseline characteristics of children with and without complete CBCL assessments.

Figure 1
CBCL scores of 232 children compared to the normative mean (50, SD 10).

Table 2
Linear regression analysis of perinatal and environmental factors with CBCL subscales at 2, 5.5 and 8 years of age.