The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

A comparison of prematurity and small for gestational age as risk factors for age 6-13 year emotional problems

A comparison of prematurity and small for gestational age as risk factors for age 6-13 year emotional problems
A comparison of prematurity and small for gestational age as risk factors for age 6-13 year emotional problems

Background: Although both very preterm (VP) and small for gestational age (SGA) births are suggested to increase the likelihood of childhood emotional problems, there has been a lack of research comparing these effects. Aims: To investigate levels of emotional problems between 6-13. years of age and contrast the impact of being born either very premature (irrespective of birth weight) or small for gestational age. Study design: Prospective longitudinal cohort study. Subjects: 654 Bavarian children (born 1985-1986) who were followed from birth to age 12/13. years. Outcome measures: Emotional problems at ages 6.3 and 8.5. years were measured via the Child Behavior Check List (CBCL). Emotional problems were measured at age 12/13. years via the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Trajectories of emotional problems were derived between 6.3 and 13. years. Results: Two distinctive patterns of age 6-13. year emotional problems were found: 1) a low and stable level of problems in 76% of children; 2) a high and stable level of problems in 24% of children. The high and stable pattern of emotional problems was significantly associated with a VP but not an SGA birth. Consistent additional determinants included male child gender and lower family socioeconomic status. Conclusions: The disparity between VP and SGA births as a predictor of age 6-13. year old emotional problems is considered in terms of fetal and/or glucocorticoid programming. The stability of emotional problems between 6 and 13. years reinforces the need for early childhood interventions aimed at children born very preterm.

Emotional disorder, Prematurity, Small for gestational age
0378-3782
797-804
Hall, James
29e17a2b-dca0-4b91-be02-2ace4abaa6c4
Wolke, Dieter
a8934769-73fd-40da-a780-bd334d098387
Hall, James
29e17a2b-dca0-4b91-be02-2ace4abaa6c4
Wolke, Dieter
a8934769-73fd-40da-a780-bd334d098387

Hall, James and Wolke, Dieter (2012) A comparison of prematurity and small for gestational age as risk factors for age 6-13 year emotional problems. Early Human Development, 88 (10), 797-804. (doi:10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2012.05.005).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Background: Although both very preterm (VP) and small for gestational age (SGA) births are suggested to increase the likelihood of childhood emotional problems, there has been a lack of research comparing these effects. Aims: To investigate levels of emotional problems between 6-13. years of age and contrast the impact of being born either very premature (irrespective of birth weight) or small for gestational age. Study design: Prospective longitudinal cohort study. Subjects: 654 Bavarian children (born 1985-1986) who were followed from birth to age 12/13. years. Outcome measures: Emotional problems at ages 6.3 and 8.5. years were measured via the Child Behavior Check List (CBCL). Emotional problems were measured at age 12/13. years via the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Trajectories of emotional problems were derived between 6.3 and 13. years. Results: Two distinctive patterns of age 6-13. year emotional problems were found: 1) a low and stable level of problems in 76% of children; 2) a high and stable level of problems in 24% of children. The high and stable pattern of emotional problems was significantly associated with a VP but not an SGA birth. Consistent additional determinants included male child gender and lower family socioeconomic status. Conclusions: The disparity between VP and SGA births as a predictor of age 6-13. year old emotional problems is considered in terms of fetal and/or glucocorticoid programming. The stability of emotional problems between 6 and 13. years reinforces the need for early childhood interventions aimed at children born very preterm.

This record has no associated files available for download.

More information

Published date: October 2012
Keywords: Emotional disorder, Prematurity, Small for gestational age

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 414567
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/414567
ISSN: 0378-3782
PURE UUID: 966ad321-6381-468a-8754-1f8316a5cca6
ORCID for James Hall: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-8002-0922

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 04 Oct 2017 16:30
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 04:31

Export record

Altmetrics

Contributors

Author: James Hall ORCID iD
Author: Dieter Wolke

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×