Bulgarian Journal of Psychiatry, 2025; 10(3):28-35
Mental disorders and comorbidity in births before the 28th gestational week: clinical cases
Elena Ivanova1, 2, Daniel Bosilkov3, Evgeni Genev2, Nikola Tsonev2, Maria Gorinova2, Ralitza Dimitrova2, Presiyan Burgov3
1Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Medical University – Sofia
2Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic “Sv. Nikola”, Alexandrovska University Hospital – Sofia
3Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Veliko Tarnovo University “Sv. sv. Kiril i Metodiy”
Abstract. A multidisciplinary assessment was conducted (by a child psychiatrist, psychologist and a speech therapist) of 5 children (3 girls and 2 boys) born prior to the 28 gestational weeks (g. w.) with extreme prematurity. The average gestational age of the children was 25 g. w. and the average body weight – 690 g. All children subjects were found to have a cognitive deficit, expressed in varying degrees, as well as concomitant diseases: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy, neurological disorders and others. Extreme premature infants require prolonged and intensive multidisciplinary care, involving various medical specialists (neonatologist, pediatrician, pediatric ophthalmologist, pediatric pulmonologist, child psychiatrist, pediatric neurologist, etc.), participation in activities with occupational therapists, child psychologists and speech therapists, as well as additional assistance from resource teachers and/or pedagogues. The families of these children necessitate psychological support beginning as early as the birth of the child.
Key words: preterm, extreme premature infants, psychiatric disorders, comorbidity, multidisciplinary team