How caregiving affects attention and thinking skills in children born very preterm

Caregiving Influences on Attention and Executive Function in Children Born Very Preterm

NIH-funded research Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island · NIH-10949486

This study is looking at how the care that very preterm babies receive can affect their ability to pay attention and think as they grow up, with the goal of finding ways to help them do better when they start school.

Quick facts

Grant typeR03 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWomen and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Providence, United States)
Project IDNIH-10949486 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the quality of caregiving influences attention and executive function in children who were born very preterm. It aims to identify modifiable environmental factors that could help prevent or reduce cognitive deficits as these children transition to formal schooling. By focusing on the caregiving environment during this critical period, the study seeks to understand the relationship between caregiving quality and child development outcomes. The research will utilize a cohort of very preterm infants to explore these dynamics.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who were born very preterm and their caregivers.

Not a fit: Patients who were not born very preterm or are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved caregiving strategies that enhance cognitive development in very preterm children.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that quality caregiving can positively impact early neurodevelopment, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Where this research is happening

Providence, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.