Caregiving Influences on Attention and Executive Function in Children Born Very Preterm

Primary Investigators: Marie Camerota PhD, Barry Lester PhD

Children born very preterm are at increased risk for deficits in attention and executive function, two domains that are strongly implicated in long-term health and developmental outcomes. We have not yet identified modifiable environmental factors that could prevent or mitigate cognitive deficits in very preterm children at school age, though research with younger children suggests that caregiving quality is a potent protective factor. This project leverages data from a large multi-site cohort of very preterm infants recruited at birth (NOVI Study) and studied until age 7. We collected an observational measure of caregiving quality at age 7 and are now investigating associations between variations in caregiving quality (e.g., sensitivity, structuring) and attention and executive function outcomes in preterm children at school age, a critical yet understudied developmental period. Results from this project could improve identification of preterm children at highest risk for deficits in attention and executive function, as well as provide information regarding modifiable caregiver behaviors that could serve as future intervention targets.

Neonatal Neurobehavior and Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants (NOVI) Study

Primary Investigators: Barry Lester PhD

Infants born less than 30 weeks gestational age are at high risk for developmental challenges including cognitive, language, and behavioral disorders such as autism spectrum disorder. Unfortunately, there is no method to identify which infants will have poor long-term outcomes and which will not. The NOVI Study recruited approximately 700 infants from six sites across the United States. The primary goal of the study is to determine if neonatal neurobehavior (measured via the NNNS) and medical factors can identify infants that will be impaired by age 2.

Environmental Influences on Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Infants Born Very Preterm (ECHO-NOVI)

Primary Investigators: Barry Lester PhD

The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program is part of a National Institutes of Health (NIH)'s seven-year initiative to support multiple, synergistic, longitudinal studies using existing study populations, called cohorts, to investigate environmental exposures — including physical, chemical, biological, social, behavioral, natural and built environments — and their association with child health and development. Our NOVI cohort was selected for inclusion in the ECHO initiative. In ECHO-NOVI, we plan to follow our cohort of children born very preterm through age seven to further determine potential mechanisms that lead to developmental and child health outcomes.