Relation of prematurity and brain injury to crying behavior in infancy.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess crying behavior during infancy in very preterm infants with or without brain injury.


METHODS
A total of 125 very low birth weight infants survived during January 2001 to July 2004 in Turku University Hospital, Finland. They were categorized according to the most pathologic brain finding either in ultrasound or MRI. Baby Day Diary was used to assess crying behavior at term, 6 weeks, and 5 months of corrected age. The behavior of a group of term control infants (n = 49) was assessed at 5 months.


RESULTS
Severe brain injuries in very low birth weight infants did not affect the duration of fussing or crying. In very low birth weight infants, brain injuries did not affect the frequency of fussing or crying bouts or the development of circadian rhythm in crying behavior. At 5 months of corrected age, fussing bouts were more frequent in very low birth weight infants compared with term control infants (6.4 per day vs 4.5 per day), and very low birth weight infants were held more (169 minutes [97] vs 130 minutes [69], respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
This prospective study using a validated cry diary showed that brain injuries that are related to prematurity do not have major effects on crying behavior or development of circadian rhythm. Prematurity does not increase the duration but increases the frequency of fussing and crying at 5 months of corrected age compared with term control infants. It also seems that prematurity and brain pathology may increase caregiving activity in the form of holding.
Maunu
Jonna
J
Department of Pediatric Neurology, Turku University Central Hospital, Pediatric Research Unit, Vähä-Hämeenkatu 1 A 3, 20500 Turku, Finland. jonna.maunu@utu.fi
Kirjavainen
Jarkko
J
Korja
Riikka
R
Parkkola
Riitta
R
Rikalainen
Hellevi
H
Lapinleimu
Helena
H
Haataja
Leena
L
Lehtonen
Liisa
L
D000367:Age Factors; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003448:Crying; D006801:Humans; D018730:Infant Behavior; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography