Emotional and behavioral problems in pre-adolescents classified as at-risk newborns

Objective  To identify the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems in pre-adolescents classified at birth as at-risk newborns and associated factors.

Methods  This is a cross-sectional study nested in a cohort, carried out with 155 pre-adolescents (aged between 10 and 12 years) included at birth in the Newborn at Risk Surveillance Program in Maringá and their mothers/guardians. Initial cohort data referring to birth and feeding in the first six months of life and current data collected in 2019 and 2020 were used. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was applied to verify emotional and behavioral problems. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis, and chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were applied to verify the association between variables.

Results  SDQ scores indicated emotional and behavioral problems in 20.0% of pre-adolescents, with a higher prevalence among boys (25.3%), a higher frequency of conduct problems (20%) and hyperactivity (26.7%). In female pre-adolescents, a higher prevalence of abnormal classification on the SDQ related to emotional symptoms (41.3%) and peer relationships (21.3%) was observed. The altered SDQ score was associated with black/brown color/race and history of congenital anomalies. Among the current factors, an association of altered SDQ with diagnoses of Attention Deficit Disorder, hyperactivity, use of psychotropic drugs and school failure was observed.

Conclusion  The prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems in the population studied is considered high and is associated with sociodemographic and perinatal factors and current living conditions.

Adolescent health; Adolescent behavior; Mental health; Infant, newborn; Risk factors