Executive function development in preterm children

Abstract

Introduction Prematurity is a major public health issue given the increasing rate of preterm births, the improved survival rate for children born extremely preterm, and the substantial costs associated with caring for these children in the neonatal period and beyond [1]. For the families of preterm children, the most common concern is the long-term intellectual, educational, and behavioral outcome for their child, as these issues greatly affect social and adaptive functioning and vocational opportunities. The concerns of parents are warranted, as many preterm children will develop an impairment in at least one of these areas, with the rate of impairment increasing with decreasing weight and ..