Comparing the Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in Cohorts of Children Born Extremely Preterm in 1995 and 2006: The EPICure Studies

<p>Objective</p> <p>This study aimed to identify the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in two population-based cohorts of children born extremely preterm (EP) 11 years apart to ascertain if psychiatric outcomes have changed over time following improved survival of EP children.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Method</p> <p>In the EPICure2 study, 200 children born EP (22-26 weeks’ gestation) in England in 2006 were assessed at 11 years of age alongside 143 term-born children. Children were assessed using the Developmental and Wellbeing Assessment (DAWBA). DSM-IV diagnoses were assigned by clinical psychiatrists for 145 EP and 98 term-born children. Outcomes were compared between a sub-sample of children from the EPICure2 cohort (2006, n=76) and the earlier born EPICure (1995, n=161) cohort born at 22-25 weeks’ gestation in England.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Results</p> <p>EP children in EPICure2 were significantly more likely than term-born children to have any psychiatric disorder (39.3% vs. 3.1%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 15.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.4, 51.1), emotional disorders (14.6% vs. 2.0%, OR 7.3; 1.6, 32.7), conduct disorders (6.3% vs. 0.0%, P=0.01), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, 21.9% vs. 2.6%, OR 7.2; 1.5, 33.6) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD, 18.9% vs. 0.0%, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the rates of any psychiatric disorder between EP children in the EPICure2 and EPICure cohorts.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>EP children remain at increased risk of psychiatric disorders at 11 years of age compared with term-born peers. Increased survival has not translated into improved psychiatric outcomes. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of this ongoing risk when caring for children born preterm.</p>