Inserm study: Prematurely born children in France face long-term challenges

prematurity neurodevelopmental disorders child development pediatrics Inserm study

A long-term study by Inserm researchers indicates that while most children born prematurely in France are generally healthy by age ten, a significant portion continues to face behavioral and academic challenges. The research, published in eClinicalMedicine, compared 2,181 preterm children with a control group of full-term children.

Findings show that 16% of children born prematurely experience behavioral difficulties, such as attention disorders or issues with emotional regulation, compared to 12% of full-term children. The severity of these challenges is closely linked to the degree of prematurity. Nearly half of extremely preterm children (born between 24 and 26 weeks) require healthcare support for developmental issues, such as speech therapy or psychological assistance, while approximately one-third of moderately preterm children (born between 32 and 34 weeks) require similar support.

Researchers noted that these vulnerabilities persist long after birth, highlighting the importance of national strategies for the early detection of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Entities

France · Inserm · Université Paris Cité · Véronique Pierrat · eClinicalMedicine

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 7% of births in France occur before 8.5 months of gestation. world-today-journal.com · information.tv5monde.com · presse.inserm.fr
[● 2 SOURCES] Nearly 50% of extremely preterm children (born between 24 and 26 weeks) require healthcare support for developmental challenges. world-today-journal.com · information.tv5monde.com
[● 2 SOURCES] At age ten, 16% of children born prematurely experience behavioral difficulties, such as attention disorders or emotional regulation issues, compared to 12% of full-term children. world-today-journal.com · information.tv5monde.com
[● 3 SOURCES] A study published in eClinicalMedicine tracked the long-term effects of prematurity on children in France. world-today-journal.com · information.tv5monde.com · presse.inserm.fr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately one-third of moderately preterm children (born between 32 and 34 weeks) receive developmental healthcare support. information.tv5monde.com