Preterm Birth: Neuropsychological Profiles and Atypical Developmental Pathways

Abstract

Preterm birth is characterized by multiple interacting atypical constraints affecting different aspects of neuropsychological development. In the first years of life, perceptual, motor, and communicative-linguistic abilities, as well as attention, processing speed, and memory are affected by preterm birth resulting in cascading effects on later development. From school age to adolescence, a catch-up of simpler competencies (i.e., receptive lexicon) along with a more selective effect on more complex competencies (i.e., complex linguistic functions, math, motor, and executive functions) are observed, as well as a relevant incidence of behavioral outcomes. A wide heterogeneity in preterm children's neuropsychological profiles is described depending on the interaction among the degree of neonatal immaturity, medical complications, neurological damages/alterations, environmental and social factors. Severe neuromotor and sensory damages are not frequent, while low severity impairments are common among preterm children. It is argued that developmental pathways of preterm children are atypical, and not merely delayed, and are characterized by different developmental patterns and relationships among competencies.

Dissociation in the Effects of Induced Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia on Rapid Auditory Processing and Spatial Working Memory in Male Rats

“…Again, the clinical literature is consistent, with substantial evidence pointing to persistent memory deficits in children that undergo an HI insult [50-53]. In fact, these cognitive deficits may even be more evident as affected children reach school age, due to the more complex memory tasks and skills required [54]. …”

Dyadic co-regulation, affective intensity and infant's development at 12 months: A comparison among extremely preterm and full-term dyads

“…0.5% of all newborns; Behrman & Butler, 2007;Goldenberg, Culhane, Iams, & Romero, 2008). In particular, ELGA children present major neurobiological and developmental sequelae, i.e., they show slower developmental trajectories and higher rates of impairment and cognitive delays compared to very preterm (GA < 32 weeks) and full-term (FT) children (Marlow, Wolke, Bracewell, & Samara, 2005;Pritchard et al, 2009;Sansavini, Guarini, & Caselli, 2011;Sansavini, Savini, et al, 2011;Wood, Marlow, Costeloe, Gibson, & Wilkinson, 2000). Motor and linguistic skills are also impaired in ELGA children (De Kieviet, Piek, Aarnoudse-Moens, & Oosterlaan, 2009;Sansavini et al, 2010Sansavini et al, , 2014.…”

Prematurely delivered rats show improved motor coordination during sensory-evoked motor responses compared to age-matched controls

“…Therefore, early birth may prematurely expose the animal to postnatal stimuli in ways that are detrimental to its overall survival, even while enhancing motor coordination. There is abundant evidence that preterm birth in humans can lead to atypical developmental trajectories, including functional differences (often deficits) in fine motor skills [74], visual and attentional processing, memory, and IQ scores, among other things [for review see 75]. In the present case, care should be taken in drawing parallels to the effects of early birth on the development of motor coordination in human infants.…”