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Published on: December 31, 2015
Perinatal conditions and early assessment of low-birth-weight premature infants
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand.
Insights
Low-birth-weight premature infants showed similar Bayley Scales of Infant Development scores to term infants at 6 months. However, premature infants with longer hospital stays had poorer mental performance, highlighting the need for developmental monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal development
- Developmental pediatrics
Background:
- Premature infants are at risk for developmental delays.
- Early developmental assessment is crucial for identifying potential issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the 6-month developmental assessment of low-birth-weight premature infants with term infants.
- To investigate factors influencing the development of premature infants.
Main Methods:
- Developmental assessment using Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 6 months chronological age.
- Comparison between 60 low-birth-weight premature infants and 30 term infants.
- Correlation analysis between hospital stay duration and mental performance in premature infants.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference in mean Bayley Scales scores between groups.
- Premature infants were more likely to exhibit clinically significant lower function.
- A significant inverse correlation was found between hospital stay duration and mental performance in premature infants.
Conclusions:
- While average scores may be similar, premature infants may have subtle functional deficits.
- Extended hospitalization negatively impacts the mental development of premature infants.
- Regular follow-up and early intervention are critical for optimizing developmental outcomes in premature infants.
Abstract:
The developmental assessment of 60 low-birth-weight premature infants, who had no major handicap, was compared with that of 30 term infants at a chronological age of 6 months. Both groups showed no statistically significant differences in mean scores for the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, but the premature group was more likely to have a clinically significant lower function. The premature infants' mental performance had a significantly inverse correlation with the number of days spent in hospital. Follow-up was essential for this group of children in obtaining the early detection of any handicap and performing timely therapeutic intervention.
