Maternal care and general cognitive functioning in moderate and late preterm-born children

Abstract

To establish the neuropsychological profile in moderate and late preterm (MLPT) samples during childhood, and to assess the potential role of early life environmental factors in cognitive outcomes. One hundred-and-six children took part in this study, including 42 moderate preterm (M age =11.57 years; Md age : 12; SD age =1.77), 33 late preterm (M age =12.21 years; Md age : 12; SD age =0.78) and 31 full-term children (M age =11.42 years; Md age : 12; SD age =1.84). All participants underwent an environmental, emotional-behavioural, life satisfaction, functionality, resilience, and cognitive assessment. Significant differences were found in several cognitive domains among groups. Further, the maternal care measure moderated the relationship between the degree of maturity/immaturity at birth and general cognitive functioning score ( F ( 4,101 4101 )= 3.72, p = 0.007, R 2 = 0.13). The findings showed different neuropsychological profiles during childhood, with the moderate preterm sample reporting poorer general cognitive functioning. Additionally, the appropriate level of maternal care measure used in this study seems to have had a protective effect on cognitive development. • Moderate and late prematurity are related to different neuropsychological profiles. • Greater neonatal immaturity leads to a poorer long-lasting cognition. • Disparities in maternal care moderated the effect of prematurity on cognition. • Level of maternal care seems to have had a protective effect on cognitive development.