Preterm birth: Implications for the family system and child and adolescent health and well-being

This chapter attempts to integrate research and science about preterm birth across several disciplines, including pediatrics, pediatric psychology, and developmental and family science. After a brief presentation of the definition and prevalence of preterm birth, it uses a bioecological systems lens to examine the biopsychosocial antecedents, including the role of health disparities and social determinants of health, on preterm birth outcomes. The chapter reviews the morbidities and developmental behavioral outcomes of preterm birth across the childhood lifespan and the research on the impact of preterm birth on the family system, informed by a developmental science perspective. It presents interdisciplinary models of care to support resilience in preterm infants and their families. The chapter concludes with the roles of behavioral health providers, including pediatric psychologists and developmental-behavioral pediatricians in the care of children and adolescents born preterm.