Reliable individual differences in preterm infants' excitation management.
2 large independent cohorts of preterm infants ranging between 32 weeks and term were given a neurobehavioral assessment (the NAPI) that measures, among other things, individual differences in excitation management. This assessment, which has high test-retest reliability and developmental and clinical validity, presents each infant with an identical sequence of events. Infant reactions to the standard stimulation provided by this assessment were used as measures of differential excitability. The results showed that over a period of weeks, preterms were highly self-consistent in their reactions. Highly reliable individual differences between infants were also seen. The self-consistencies and individual differences were independent of the infants' prior medical complications. With very few exceptions, these results replicated over the 2 independent cohorts. The individual consistencies and differences in excitation management found in this study might predispose children to later differences in temperament.
Stanford University, USA.
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Korner
D001034:Apgar Score; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D018730:Infant Behavior; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D013694:Temperament