Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare mental health at 5 years in children born extremely preterm with a reference group,
and assess associations between functional abilities and mental health within the preterm group. In a national Norwegian cohort
with gestational age 22–27 weeks or birthweight 500–999 g, mental health was assessed with the Strengths and Difficulties
Questionnaire (SDQ), cognitive function with the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R), motor
function with the Movement Assessment Battery for children (ABC-test) and severity of cerebral palsy (CP) with the Gross Motor
Function Classification for CP (GMFCS). Neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) were described as mild and moderate/severe.
SDQ of the preterm children was compared with that of an unselected reference group. SDQ sub-scores ≥90th percentile of the
reference group were defined as a mental health problem and a Total Difficulties Score ≥90th percentile (TDS90) as suggestive
of psychiatric disorder. Of 361 eligible preterm children, parents completed SDQ for 255 (71 %). 97 (38 %) had TDS90 compared
to 116 (11 %) of the reference group (OR 5.1; 95 % CI 3.7–7.1). For the preterms, the rate of TDS90 was higher for those with
moderate/severe NDD (27/37 vs. 27/116, adjusted OR 8.0; 95 % CI 3.2–19, and mild NDD 43/102 [adjusted OR 2.2 (1.2–4.1)]. For
preterms with no NDD, TDS90 was more common than for the reference group (27/116 vs. 116/1,089, OR 2.5; 95 % CI 1.6–4.1).
Extreme prematurity was associated with increased risk of later mental health problems, particularly if they had other functional
impairments.
and assess associations between functional abilities and mental health within the preterm group. In a national Norwegian cohort
with gestational age 22–27 weeks or birthweight 500–999 g, mental health was assessed with the Strengths and Difficulties
Questionnaire (SDQ), cognitive function with the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R), motor
function with the Movement Assessment Battery for children (ABC-test) and severity of cerebral palsy (CP) with the Gross Motor
Function Classification for CP (GMFCS). Neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) were described as mild and moderate/severe.
SDQ of the preterm children was compared with that of an unselected reference group. SDQ sub-scores ≥90th percentile of the
reference group were defined as a mental health problem and a Total Difficulties Score ≥90th percentile (TDS90) as suggestive
of psychiatric disorder. Of 361 eligible preterm children, parents completed SDQ for 255 (71 %). 97 (38 %) had TDS90 compared
to 116 (11 %) of the reference group (OR 5.1; 95 % CI 3.7–7.1). For the preterms, the rate of TDS90 was higher for those with
moderate/severe NDD (27/37 vs. 27/116, adjusted OR 8.0; 95 % CI 3.2–19, and mild NDD 43/102 [adjusted OR 2.2 (1.2–4.1)]. For
preterms with no NDD, TDS90 was more common than for the reference group (27/116 vs. 116/1,089, OR 2.5; 95 % CI 1.6–4.1).
Extreme prematurity was associated with increased risk of later mental health problems, particularly if they had other functional
impairments.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Contribution
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s00787-012-0298-1
- Authors
- Silje Katrine Elgen, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
- Katrine Tyborg Leversen, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
- Jacob Holter Grundt, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Innlandet Trust, Lillehammer, Norway
- Jørgen Hurum, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Innlandet Trust, Lillehammer, Norway
- Anne Berit Sundby, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Innlandet Trust, Lillehammer, Norway
- Irene Bircow Elgen, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
- Trond Markestad, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
- Journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Online ISSN 1435-165X
- Print ISSN 1018-8827