Executive Function Assessment in 2-Year-Olds Born Preterm

Abstract

AIM: To investigate executive function and its relationship with gestational age, sex, maternal education, and neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years corrected age in children born preterm. METHOD: Executive function was assessed by means of the Multisearch Multilocation Task, Reversed Categorization Task and Snack Delay Task. Infant and maternal characteristics were gathered from the child’s record. Developmental outcome was measured by using the Bayley Scales and a multidisciplinary risk evaluation for autism. RESULTS: The executive function battery was completed by 97 children. The majority was able to successfully complete the Multisearch Multilocation Task and Snack Delay Task but failed Reversed Categorization Task. The lower the gestational age and the maternal education, the lower the executive function scores. However, executive function was not related to sex. Better cognition and motor function, as well as low autism risk, were associated with better executive function scores. INTERPRETATION: This cohort study provides evidence that it is feasible to assess executive function in 2-year-olds born preterm. Executive function is positively correlated with outcome, however negatively with lower gestational age and maternal education. Executive functions therefore can be a valuable target for early intervention, resulting in improvements of neurodevelopmental outcome in children born preterm.