Early borns ‘more likely to get problems’

Those born between 32 and 35 weeks’ gestation (moderately premature) are almost twice as likely to have behavioural and emotional problems as children born at term (38 to 41 weeks).

The study, published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, found moderately premature children had a range of issues.

The boys were more likely to act out their problems through their behaviour than the girls, who tended to internalise them.

Researchers analysed data for 995 children who were moderately premature and 577 born at term. Parents completed a questionnaire on when the children were aged four using an established behavioural checklist.

Premature children were almost twice as likely to suffer problems overall than those children born at term. This particularly affected premature girls, who were more likely than girls born at term to suffer a range of issues.

The authors, from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, concluded: “Moderately premature children are more likely to already have behavioural and emotional problems before they enter school.”