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A longitudinal follow up of development of preterm infants
S Chaudhari1, S Kulkarni, F Pajnigar
1Department of Pediatrics, K.E.M. Hospital, Pune.
Insights
Preterm babies generally achieve developmental milestones comparable to full-term infants by 18-24 months. Factors like birth weight and complications influence their developmental trajectory and catch-up timeline.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Preterm birth, defined as less than 37 weeks gestation, poses risks to infant development.
- Understanding the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate the psychomotor development of preterm infants.
- To identify factors influencing developmental trajectories and 'catch-up' patterns in preterm babies.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study followed 172 preterm and 36 control infants for 18-24 months.
- Psychomotor development was assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant Development at corrected age intervals.
- Key factors analyzed included birth weight, gestational age, and presence of complications.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants, as a group, achieved developmental parity with controls by 18-24 months on both motor and mental scales.
- Higher birth weight correlated with better motor development at 18 months.
- Uncomplicated preterm infants and those appropriate for gestational age (AGA) demonstrated earlier catch-up compared to those with complications or small for gestational age (SGA).
- The incidence of cerebral palsy was low at 4%.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants exhibit a significant catch-up in psychomotor development, reaching levels comparable to full-term infants by 18-24 months.
- Birth weight, gestational age (AGA vs. SGA), and absence of complications are important predictors of developmental outcomes and catch-up rates.
- Early identification and monitoring are essential for optimizing neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm populations.
Abstract:
A prospective study was undertaken to determine the development of preterm (PT) babies (gestation less than 37 weeks). One hundred and seventy two preterm babies and 36 control babies were followed up for a period of 18-24 months. Psychomotor development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 months, using the corrected or post conceptional age. Preterm babies, as a group, caught up with normal babies between 18-24 months, both on the motor and mental scale. Higher the birth weight, better was the mean motor development quotient at 18 months. Uncomplicated preterm babies showed higher mean development quotients at 18 months than preterm babies with additional complications and they also caught up earlier (12-18 months) than the latter group who caught up between 18-24 months. Similarly, PT appropriate for gestational age (AGA) babies showed, earlier 'catch up' than PT small for gestational age (SGA) babies. The incidence of cerebral palsy was low (4%).