Preterm Infant’s Excessive Crying Associated with Behavioural Problems in Childhood
The persistent and excessive crying of a preterm infant with a low birth weight is related to later behavioural problems and to the parents’ worry and stress on upbringing.
In the PIPARI research project of the University of Turku, a wide follow-up study for 180 children who were born prematurely and had low birth weight (< 1500 g) was carried out in 2001–2006. The children’s crying was followed from term to five months of corrected age. The child’s behaviour and the parents’ stress related to the child’s development and upbringing was assessed based on the parents’ answers at two, three and four years of age.
– The results show that prolonged and excessive crying in infancy is related to the behavioural problems that the parents reported later on and also to the parental stress and worry on upbringing when the child is from two to four years old, says Psychologist Riikka Korja, who is specialised in development and upbringing.
Likely, there are many factors in the background that explain the results, related to the brain of the premature infant, complications during infancy and environmental factors. Infant’s excessive crying together with premature birth can make the establishment of an emotional relationship between the parent and the child more difficult, which, in turn, can hinder the development of the child’s ability to self-regulate.
– On the other hand, the connection could be explained with a neurological disorder of the preterm infant which can increase both crying and the behavioural problems in childhood, says Korja.
Crying Should Be Taken into Account in Health Care
Infant’s excessive and persistent crying is a common reason for the parents of small children to seek help from the health care professionals.
According to Korja, the parent’s reported concern on preterm infant’s excessive crying should be taken into account in health care so that the development of possible behavioural problems could be prevented as early as possible.
– There should be support for parents who are concerned over their baby’s crying, both for the parents’ coping and for the parent–child relationship. In addition, early treatments that strengthen and advance the development of the preterm infant’s self-regulation should also be developed, stresses Korja.
The article was published in print in the esteemed Pediatrics journal.
>> The online version and publication information
Text: Tuomas Koivula
Translation: Mari Ratia
Photo: Hanna Oksanen