Early predictors of school-age behavior problems and social skills in children with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and/or extremely low birthweight (ELBW).

Abstract

Child and family characteristics from early infancy (birth-3 months adjusted age, AA) and toddler period (24-30 months) were examined as potential predictors of behavior problems and social skills at 7.5 years of age in 90 LBW infants with IVH and/or ELBW who were part of a longitudinal study of early intervention effectiveness. Severity of medical problems at birth and child temperament at 3 months AA were associated with future social skill levels, but not with behavior problems. Family variables in the first months of the child's life including low income, single parent household, and high parenting stress were significantly correlated with behavior problems at 7.5 years of age. Difficult temperament and elevated parenting stress in the toddler period were strongly associated with later behavior problems. Toddler developmental quotient (DQ) was a strong predictor of future social skills. PRACTICE OR POLICY: These data highlight the importance of early intervention that targets child behavior and emotional adjustment along with cognitive development, especially in low income and single parent households. Interventions that target parent-child interaction and parent stress are also crucial in these populations, even beyond the birth-three period.