Hot and cold executive function in toddlers born preterm

Executive functions are critical cognitive abilities that enable individuals to plan, organize, and regulate behaviour in the pursuit of goals. In toddlers born prematurely, the development of these functions may be atypical due to the early disruption in brain development. This study explores the differences between "hot" and "cold" executive functions in preterm preschoolers. "Cold" executive functions involve cognitive processes such as working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility, typically assessed in tasks that are considered non-emotional. In contrast, "hot" executive functions refer to those cognitive abilities used in emotionally charged or motivational contexts, such as delay of gratification. The aim of this research is to investigate how preterm birth affects both "hot" and "cold" executive functions in young children, considering factors such as gestational age, birth weight, and neonatal health complications. Findings indicate that preterm youngsters show deficits in both "cold" and "hot" executive functions, with more pronounced difficulties observed in tasks requiring emotional regulation and motivation. These results emphasize the need for early interventions that target both cognitive and emotional self-regulation to support the developmental trajectory of executive functions in preterm children. Furthermore, the study suggests the importance of differentiating between "cold" and "hot" components of executive functions when designing interventions and assessing the needs of this vulnerable population.

Michelle de Haan is a Canadian who obtained her PhD in Child Psychology & Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota. She subsequently moved to University College London where she established a research programme investigating the infant neurobehavioural signs of later cognitive and social/mental health outcomes in longitudinal studies of infants born preterm, those with sickle cell disease, cardiovascular disease, neuromuscular disorders, visual impairments and other health conditions.