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Neurodevelopmental Profile of Preterm Babies in the First Year of Life: A Prospective Cohort Study
SC24-SC29
Correspondence
Dr. Richa,
Flat no A-407, Kashyap green city, Kothwan, Khagaul, Danapur- 801503, Patna, Bihar, India.
E-mail: preetzen_9@yahoo.in
Introduction: Improved survival of preterm babies has also increased the incidence of neurodevelopmental problems. The first year of life is the most sensitive period for early intervention and hence targeting early detection principles to this age will be most useful.
Aim: To study the neurodevelopmental profile of preterm babies (<35 weeks), born in a tertiary care hospital, till the age of 12 months of Corrected Gestational Age (CGA).
Materials and Methods: The prospective cohort study was conducted between January 2014 and August 2015 at Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. All preterm newborns (<35 weeks) born in the tertiary care hospital during the study period were included. A total of 57 babies were enrolled. Neuromotor assessment at discharge and on follow-up at six and 12 months of CGA was done using Infant Neurological International Battery (INFANIB) and Developmental Assessment Scales for Indian Infants (DASII). One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Chi-square test, Fischer 's-Exact test and inter-rater kappa agreement were used for statistical analysis.
Results: A total of 78 preterm (35 weeks) were born, 21 were excluded, 57 were enrolled and 42 babies were followed-up till 12 months of CGA. The mean INFANIB score at discharge, 6 months and 12 months of CGA were 58.93±5.11, 68.74±7.71 and 82.95±5.90, respectively. At 12 months of CGA, 64% of the babies were normal, 33.33% were transient and 2.8% were abnormal as per INFANIB. The mean DASII score for Motor Development Quotient (MoDQ) at six and 12 months were 89.84 ±8.41 and 93.49±10.39, respectively, whereas Mental Development Quotient (MeDQ) at six and 12 months, were 70.39±10.54 and 65.58±13.19, respectively. The neuromotor assessment of infants with INFANIB compared well with the motor developmental score on DASII with an inter-rater kappa agreement of 1 (kappa=1).
Conclusion: The preterm babies showed improvement in motor development quotient, but not in mental development quotient. Results of INFANIB and DASII matched in their motor assessment. The INFANIB is a reliable and quick tool for neuromotor assessment.