Page 81 - Sample Moderate prematurity, socioeconomic status, and neurodevelopment in early childhood

Lastly, the findings presented in this thesis imply that a gender-specific approach may be called for. Early detection and intervention may be more effective in girls, since they were more disadvantaged by the effects of moderate prematurity and low SES than boys. Because we were the first to assess these gender differences in behavioural and emotional outcomes after moderate prematurity, we call for confirmation of our findings and for further research to fully explain them.
3) Disruptive effects on brain development
Further research on brain development may improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of specific neurodevelopmental outcomes in MP and low SES children. For example, we have no adequate social-environmental explanation for the finding that effects of SES on communication skills were less pronounced in MP children. Insights from the field of neuroscience may provide an explanation for this finding. Questions also remain regarding the pathophysiology of behavioural problems in preterm-born children, such as: 1) Can the type of brain network aberrations explain the co-occurrence of specific developmental and behavioural problems? And 2) Do aberrations in the limbic system correspond with internalizing problems in preterm children, and in which way are gender differences involved?
The role of emotion regulation in maintaining mental and physical health
The findings presented in this thesis give rise to further research involving the
role of emotion regulation in maintaining mental and physical health throughout
life. To start with, little is known about the effectiveness of emotion regulation
interventions in individuals who are at risk of CHD. In recent years, the role of
emotion regulation has gained interest in health research,66 but the possibilities for
preventive child healthcare are largely unknown. Applicability of emotion regulation
interventions are currently explored for a widening array of neurodevelopmental
problems and disorders, such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and 7 co-occurring conditions,99 and in various risk subgroups, including preterm-born
and low SES children.100-102
Our findings also show that the association between emotion regulation and
CHD was partly explained via smoking, cardiorespiratory fitness, and education. Because emotion regulation is a competence acquired mainly in early childhood, this implies that early investments in social-emotional competencies may pay off in health-promoting behaviours and lower risks of long-term health problems.
General discussion
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