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Italian Journal of Pediatrics

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Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research

Object permanence and the development of attention capacity in preterm and term infants: an eye-tracking study

Authors: Hokyoung Ryu, Garam Han, Jaeran Choi, Hyun-Kyung Park, Mi Jung Kim, Dong-Hyun Ahn, Hyun Ju Lee

Published in: Italian Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Background

The relationship between premature birth and early cognitive function as measured by eye-tracking data remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of prematurity on the development of object permanence and attention capacity using eye-tracking measures.

Methods

We prospectively studied very low birth weight (VLBW < 1500 g) preterm infants who were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea and visited a follow-up clinic. Using eye-tracking measures, object permanence was assessed in 15 VLBW preterm and 10 term infants at a corrected age of 6–10 months, and attention capacity was measured in 26 VLBW preterm and 18 term children who were age-matched for the corrected age of 6–10 or18 months.

Results

No differences were found in chronologic age (corrected age for prematurity), sex, or maternal education between the study groups. The VLBW preterm infants had lower scores than term infants on eye-tracking measures of object permanence than the term infants did at 6–10 months (P = 0.042). The VLBW preterm infants had a shorter referential gaze than the term infants did at 6–10 months (P = 0.038); moreover, the length of referential gaze of the VLBW preterm infants was significantly lower at 6–10 months than at 18 months (P = 0.047), possibly indicating a delayed trajectory of attention development.

Conclusion

The VLBW preterm infants have different attention capacities and object permanence developmental markers than term infants at the corrected age of 6–10 months.

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Title: Object permanence and the development of attention capacity in preterm and term infants: an eye-tracking study
Authors: Hokyoung Ryu
Garam Han
Jaeran Choi
Hyun-Kyung Park
Mi Jung Kim
Dong-Hyun Ahn
Hyun Ju Lee
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Italian Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1824-7288
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-017-0408-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Object permanence and the development of attention capacity in preterm and term infants: an eye-tracking study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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