Gestational Deficits have Selectively Negative Long‐Term Effects on Cognitive Control among Female Preadolescents

Abstract

Long‐term cognitive impairments following extreme preterm delivery are well recognized, however, it was unknown whether these effects are present among infants born closer to term or vary based on sex. Herein, cognitive control was assessed among 8‐9‐year‐olds (preterm/<37 wk [n=60] or term/蠅37 wk [n=60]). Children were matched for age, pubertal stage, sex (28 females/group), SES, IQ, BMI, and VO2max. Cognitive control was assessed using a flanker task and groups were compared on measures of accuracy, reaction time, and interference control. While no effects were observed for accuracy, an effect of birth status on overall (d=0.65, P=0.02) and incongruent trial reaction time (d=0.75, P<0.01) was observed among females. Further, preterm females exhibited over two‐fold greater reaction time interference (incongruent ‐ congruent) compared to preterm males, and term females and males (all P<0.01), reflecting compromised ability to up‐regulate cognitive control when faced with higher task demands. This work shows that even relatively small gestational deficits have a lasting influence on cognitive health. Specifically, preterm birth status was selectively and negatively related to cognitive control among female preadolescents. Future studies should elucidate the effects of early life factors on a wider range of cognitive tasks and determine the source of these sex differences. Funding sources: NIH HD055352 and HD069381.