Does preterm birth affect child temperament? A meta-analytic study

Author(s)

Cassiano, Rafaela G. M. ^[1] ; Provenzi, Livio ^[2] ; Martins Linhares, Maria Beatriz ^[1] ; Gaspardo, Claudia M. ^[1] ; Montirosso, Rosario ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Neurosci & Behav, Ave Tenente Catao Roxo 2260, BR-14051140 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] IRCCS Mondino Fdn, Child Neurol & Psychiat Unit, Pavia - Italy

^[3] Sci Inst IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Ctr Risk Infant 0 3, Via Don Luigi Monza 20, I-23842 Bosisio Parini, LC - Italy

• Document type: Review article
• Source: INFANT BEHAVIOR & DEVELOPMENT; v. 58, FEB 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The present meta-analytic study was conducted to examine differences in temperament between preterm and full-term children, considering behavior style and psychobiological approaches. Moreover, we explored the potential moderators of the associations between prematurity and temperament. A systematic literature search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL. Twenty-two studies were analyzed. Preterm children showed a higher Activity level as well as lower Attentional Focusing and Attention Span/Persistence, in comparison with their full-term counterparts. Extremely preterm children showed a higher Activity level than other preterm levels. These findings support the conclusion that preterm children present with a less regulated temperament relative to those born full term. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/11533-8 - Prematurity and behavioral problems in two samples of toddlers from different cultures
• Grantee: Rafaela Guilherme Monte Cassiano
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/12509-5 - Impact of neonatal risk and temperament in behavior of children born preterm in the pre-school age
• Grantee: Rafaela Guilherme Monte Cassiano
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate