Assessment of early attention in an Italian cohort of preschooler preterm children using the Early Childhood Attention Battery.

IF 3 3区医学 Q1 PEDIATRICS

European Journal of Pediatrics Pub Date : 2024-11-15 DOI:10.1007/s00431-024-05832-9

Giorgia Coratti, Maria Mallardi, Elisa Pede, Giuseppina Mangano, Alessia Sicolo, Michela D'Argenzio, Francesca Gallini, Domenico Marco Romeo, Daniela Chieffo, Giovanni Vento, Janette Atkinson, Oliver Braddick, Daniela Ricci, Eugenio Mercuri

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose: This cross-sectional monocentric study aims to utilize the Early Childhood Attention Battery to investigate early attention patterns in young preterm children and ascertain the extent to which their attentional abilities diverge from those of term peers.

Methods: Inclusion criteria encompassed gestational age < 34 weeks, with assessments conducted between 3 and 5 years 11 months. Exclusion criteria included major brain lesions, significant motor or behavioral disorders, and intellectual functioning with IQ < 70. Preterm raw scores converted to scaled scores and percentiles. Frequency analysis compared preterm scores to norms. Non-parametric tests assessed significance between scaled scores and subgroups (age, gestational age, sex, birth weight).

Results: One hundred nineteen preterm patients were enrolled in the study between November 2016 and June 2023. Comparisons with published norms showed lower mean scores across all subtests and domains for preterm children. A notable proportion of assessments (13-40%) fell below the 5th percentile, with the dual task item in sustained attention being the highest (40%). Sex did not predict differences, except for auditory sustained and visual search subtests. Gestational age did not correlate with abnormal scores, consistent with previous studies. The prevalence of assessments below the 5th percentile highlights preterm children's vulnerability to attention issues. The test's sensitivity to attention deficits in preterm populations suggests its potential in identifying at-risk children early for tailored interventions.

Conclusions: The battery effectively detects attentional deficits in preterm children. Early detection and targeted insights support tailored educational interventions. By focusing on specific attention skills, the battery guides clinicians in choosing individualized or group activities based on areas most affected.

What is known: • Attention is often impaired in preterm children but it is not systematically investigated before school age. The ECAB is a tool specifically designed for preschool children.

What is new: • Using the ECAB we evidenced a different level of attention between pre-term and term-born children at preschool age.

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使用幼儿注意力测验法评估意大利学龄前早产儿的早期注意力。

目的：本横断面单中心研究旨在利用儿童早期注意力测验（Early Childhood Attention Battery）调查早产儿的早期注意力模式，并确定他们的注意力能力与足月儿童的注意力能力之间的差异程度：方法：纳入标准包括胎龄：在 2016 年 11 月至 2023 年 6 月期间，有 119 名早产儿参加了研究。与已公布的标准进行比较后发现，早产儿在所有子测试和领域的平均得分都较低。有相当一部分评估结果（13%-40%）低于第5百分位数，其中持续注意力的双重任务项目得分最高（40%）。除听觉持续和视觉搜索子测试外，性别并不能预测差异。妊娠年龄与异常得分没有关联，这与之前的研究一致。评估结果低于第 5 百分位数的情况很普遍，这说明早产儿很容易出现注意力问题。该测试对早产儿注意力缺陷的敏感性表明，它可以及早发现高危儿童，并进行有针对性的干预：结论：该测试可有效检测早产儿的注意力缺陷。早期检测和有针对性的洞察力有助于采取有针对性的教育干预措施。通过关注特定的注意力技能，该电池可指导临床医生根据受影响最严重的领域选择个性化或集体活动：- 已知情况：早产儿的注意力通常会受到影响，但在学龄前并未对其进行系统的调查。ECAB是专门为学龄前儿童设计的工具：- 新发现：通过使用早产儿注意力测验，我们发现早产儿和足月儿在学龄前的注意力水平有所不同。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

European Journal of Pediatrics 医学-小儿科

CiteScore

5.90

自引率

2.80%

发文量

367

审稿时长

3-6 weeks

期刊介绍： The European Journal of Pediatrics (EJPE) is a leading peer-reviewed medical journal which covers the entire field of pediatrics. The editors encourage authors to submit original articles, reviews, short communications, and correspondence on all relevant themes and topics. EJPE is particularly committed to the publication of articles on important new clinical research that will have an immediate impact on clinical pediatric practice. The editorial office very much welcomes ideas for publications, whether individual articles or article series, that fit this goal and is always willing to address inquiries from authors regarding potential submissions. Invited review articles on clinical pediatrics that provide comprehensive coverage of a subject of importance are also regularly commissioned. The short publication time reflects both the commitment of the editors and publishers and their passion for new developments in the field of pediatrics. EJPE is active on social media (@EurJPediatrics) and we invite you to participate. EJPE is the official journal of the European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP) and publishes guidelines and statements in cooperation with the EAP.