Temperament characteristics of premature infants in the first year of life

Mary B. Hughes, Justine Shults, Jacqueline McGrath, Barbara Medoff-Cooper

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

89 Scopus citations

Abstract

Parenting preterm infants in the first months after hospital discharge is challenging. Although preterm infants are considered to be difficult, preterm temperament at less than 3 months is unknown empirically. The purpose of this analysis was to investigate the 6-week temperament characteristics of preterm infants in comparison with standardized norms of full-term infants. The sample of 74 infants with gestational ages at birth between 24 and 32 weeks were enrolled in a study of preterm infant neurobehavioral outcomes. Mothers rated temperament at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months of age (adjusted for prematurity). At 6 weeks the premature infants were significantly less rhythmic (regular), more distractible (soothable), less approaching (more withdrawing), and less intense than standardized norms for full-term infants. From these data we conclude that premature infants may be initially more challenging to parent. Temperament moderated over time but remained significantly lower in persistence at 12 months. Considerable change in temperament in the first 12 months of life may be influenced by biological and environmental factors common to the premature birth experience.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)430-435
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Volume23
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Neurobehavioral development
  • Parenting
  • Premature infant
  • Temperament

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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