Abstract
We have previously shown that prematurity and degree of Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH) are related to the temperamental characteristics of the infant at 3 months corrected age (CA). We hypothesized that similar results would be obtained at 7 months CA, and that these characteristics would be related to concurrent neurological abnormalities. Eighty-five infants (15 full-term (FT); 23 PT with no IVH; 20 PT with IVH Grade I-II; 27 PT with IVH Grade III-IV) were assessed with a laboratory behavioral observation of the infant's temperament and a neurological examination performed by independent examiners. All PT infants were less positive (p<.05), less sociable (p<.05) and less active (p<.05) than FT infants, replicating our previous findings ac 3 months CA. Both cranial nerves and postural reflex abnormalitites were related to less positive, less active and less reactive behaviors (all p<.05). Head size and tone abnormalities as well as asymetries of tone or reflexes were also related to less reactivity (all p<.05). We conclude that both prematurity and neurological sequelae of IVH, rather than IVH itself, are related to the infant's temperament.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Coll, C., Vohr, B., Emmons, L. et al. TEMPERAMENT CHARACTERISTICS OF PRETERM (PT) INFANTS AND CONCURRENT NEUROLOGICAL ABNORMALITIES. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 180 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00082
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00082