Psychomotor development, emotional regulation, and executive functions in 2-years-old children after a threatened preterm labour: a prospective study

Abstract Objective A threatened preterm labour (TPL) represents an adverse prenatal event with potential long-term consequences on offspring’ neurodevelopment, regardless of prematurity condition. The aim of this study was to assess TPL impact on children’s psychomotor and socioemotional development at 2 years of age. Methods A cohort of mother-infants was recruited at the time of TPL diagnoses and followed up until 30 months of children’s corrected age. Participants were classified in three groups regarding gestational age at delivery: Full-term TPL ( n = 35), Late Preterm TPL ( n = 67), Very Preterm TPL ( n = 41). A Control group ( n = 62) of mothers without TPL and their infants born at term completed the sample. Children’s assessment was performed using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires for psychomotor development, the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire–Very Short Form for temperament, and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool Version for executive functions. Then, MANCOVA were conducted to detect differences between groups. Results TPL children, regardless of delivery time, showed worse emotional regulation ( ps < .03) and more inhibition problems ( ps < .02) than control ones. In addition, Very preterm TPL children exhibited lower psychomotor development ( ps ≤ .040), more difficulties in working memory ( ps ≤ .002) and planification/organization ( ps ≤ .003) domains. Conclusion TPL per se may represent a risk factor for children’s neurodevelopmental disturbances, specifically in emotional and regulation competences, even in the absence of prematurity.