|
Affiliation
|
Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan. |
|
Abstract
|
OBJECTIVE: To analyse the effect of different preterm birth categories on behavioural outcomes.
DESIGN: Prospective cohort design. SETTINGS: The Japanese Longitudinal Survey of Babies in the 21st Century was used for the study. SUBJECTS: Neonates born in 2001 in Japan (n=34 163) and followed up at the age of 8 years. Post-term births were excluded and the sample was divided into four groups according to gestational age: <34 weeks, 34-36 weeks, 37-38 weeks and 39-41 weeks. OUTCOME MEASURES: Seven behavioural outcomes were examined: three attention problems and four delinquent/aggressive behaviours.
RESULTS: Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted ORs and 95% CIs for each outcome. Positive associations were found between preterm birth (<37 weeks) and adverse behavioural outcomes compared with full-term birth (39-41 weeks). For attention problems, the OR for 'inability to wait his/her turn' was increased by 1.72 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.43) for gestational age <34 weeks and by 1.28 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.59) for 34-36 weeks' gestation. For delinquent/aggressive behaviour, the OR for the outcome 'destroying books/toys' was increased by 1.46 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.99) for gestational age <34 weeks, while the outcome 'disturbance in public' was increased by 1.20 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.38) for 34-36 weeks' gestation.
CONCLUSIONS: Children who are born <34 weeks, but also between 34 and 36 weeks, are at increased risk of behavioural problems related to attention and delinquent/aggressive behaviour when 8 years old.
Language: en |