Abstract
AimTo investigate the personality in very preterm individuals (VPT; gestational age, GA, <32 weeks) at adult age in two cohorts born in 1974–76 and 1980–82, respectively, and to illuminate the effect of increased survival rates and the clinical implications of deviations in personality.MethodDemographic data were extracted for all individuals born in Denmark in 1974–76 and 1980–82. From each period one index-group each comprising 150 individuals with the lowest gestational age was selected. Thereafter two control groups born at term were matched by gender, age and residential area. Personality was assessed with the short version of NEO PI-R, and psychiatric diagnoses were obtained from the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register.ResultsOf all the individuals born <32 weeks of gestation in 1980–82 67% were alive in 2006 vs. 43% of those born in 1974–76 (p<0.0001). A total of 433 individuals participated in the study, 76% of the VPT groups (n = 227, mean GA = 27.9) and 69% of the control groups (n = 206). There were no significant differences on personality scores between the two VPT groups. Compared to the control groups, the combined VPT groups scored higher on neuroticism (p = 0.005) and agreeableness (p = 0.012), but lower on extraversion (p = 0.002). Psychiatric disorder was strongly associated with higher scores on neuroticism and lower scores on extraversion.InterpretationImproved survival of VPT infants was not associated with increased deviances in the personality as adults. The personality traits in VPT individuals differ moderately from those of term born controls. High scores in neuroticism and low scores in extraversion were associated with increased risk psychiatric disorders. VPT adults also showed signs of positive adaptation in the form of an agreeable and confident attitude towards others.What this paper addsThe much improved survival rate in very preterm infants during the early years of active neonatology was not associated with increased risk of personality deviation. There are signs of positive adaptation in the form of increased agreeableness in young adults born very preterm.
Highlights
Since the 1970s the number of surviving very preterm children (VPT children;,33 weeks of gestation) has increased significantly
A total of 433 individuals participated in the study, 76% of the very preterm individuals (VPT) groups (n = 227, mean GA = 27.9) and 69% of the control groups (n = 206)
Psychiatric disorder was strongly associated with higher scores on neuroticism and lower scores on extraversion
Summary
Since the 1970s the number of surviving very preterm children (VPT children; ,33 weeks of gestation) has increased significantly. Schmidt et al investigated a cohort from Canada of extremely low birth weight (ELBW; birth weight ,1000 grams) born in the late 1970s and early 1980s [12] They compared the ELBW adults without neurosensory and psychiatric disorders with a control group of normal birth weight. Since there was an increase in survival of VPT children from the 1970s to the 1980s, more immature and probably sicker infants were surviving and in Denmark this was followed by an increase in the risk of cerebral palsy in the surviving infants born before 31 weeks of gestation [13] This could mean that an increased proportion of the survivors had other developmental difficulties including deviances in adult personality
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
