A-26 ADHD and Neurocognitive Functioning Following Late or Moderate Preterm Birth

Abstract

Objective This study sought to broaden the findings of the current research on the relationship between late and moderate preterm (LAMP) birth and long-term neurocognitive outcomes, specifically those related to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). LAMP children were compared to term-born children on rates of ADHD prevalence and neurocognitive functioning. Method This cross-sectional study included 169 patients, ages 8–12 years, who completed neuropsychological evaluation; 30.2% were female, 37.87% identified with a non-White racial group, 36.7% were Medicaid, 18.34% had in-utero exposure to substances, 40.8% were LAMP, 9.47% were born following pre-eclampsia, 21.3% required intensive care at birth, and 51.5% had ADHD family history. Measures of intellectual functioning (IQ), attention, working memory (WM), executive functioning (EF), and processing speed were derived from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition, Conners Continuous Performance Test, Second and Third Editions (CPT-2/CPT-3), Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System, and NEPSY, Second Edition. Results ADHD prevalence was similar between LAMP (79.7%) and term-born children (75%), as were neurocognitive outcomes. Interestingly, no significant differences in performance-based WM or EF were observed between those with and without ADHD; inattention (CPT-2/CPT-3 Omissions) was the only performance-based measure that was significantly higher among those with ADHD (M = 61.93, SD = 15.35) than those without (M = 54.31, SD = 11.27), t(165) = −3.38, p < 0.01, 95% CI [−12.11, −3.13]. Conclusion(s) Prevalence of ADHD and measured neurocognitive outcomes were not significantly different between LAMP and term-born children. This affirms the multifactorial etiological pathways to ADHD and supports ADHD as a heterogenous neurocognitive presentation.