| Abstract: | We compared behavioral problems, social competence, and family functioning of 10- to 12-year-old children born prematurely with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) to a group of premature children without BPD and to a group of full-term controls. In addition, the relative power of family, medical, and neurological characteristics in predicting cognitive and behavioral outcomes was examined. Neurologic status and socioeconomic status most strongly predicted cognitive outcome, whereas a combination of family and medical factors were the strongest predictors of behavioral functioning. Selected family and medical factors accounted for approximately 50% of the variance in children's behavioral characteristics. The findings support the concept that the psychosocial adjustment of low birthweight children with BPD is a function of the interaction of both medical risk and family characteristics. |
