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The classification of the low birth-weight infants from the viewpoint of mental development
S Sugimoto1, M Fukushima, T Yazaki
1Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan.
Insights
Weeks of gestation and birth weight are key factors influencing infant mental development. Infants born small for dates (SFD) with low birth weight are at higher risk for developmental delays.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal development
- Pediatric neurology
- Developmental psychology
Background:
- Infant mental development is influenced by various perinatal factors.
- Early identification of developmental risks is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key factors influencing mental development retardation in infants.
- To establish a predictive model for postnatal mental development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the AIKEN method for periodical checkups on 206 infants.
- Correlated average Development Quotient (DQ) with perinatal physical measurements.
- Employed multiple regression analysis to determine significant predictors.
Main Results:
- Weeks of gestation, birth weight, cephalic circumference, and body length showed correlations with mental development.
- Body length and cephalic circumference significantly correlated with birth weight.
- Gestational age and birth weight were direct contributors to average DQ.
Conclusions:
- Proposed a prediction equation for postnatal mental development.
- Identified infants born small for dates (SFD) with low birth weight (<37 weeks gestation, <2000g) as at risk for mental development problems (MD-SFD).
- Toxemia of pregnancy and premature rupture of membranes indirectly increase risk by affecting gestation and birth weight.
Abstract:
Periodical checkups on 206 infants were carried out in order to elucidate which of various factors would pose decisive influence upon the retardation of mental development after birth with the AIKEN method. Correlations between average DQ (development quotient) and figures of physical measurements at birth were sought after. Consequently, weeks of gestation, body weight, cephalic circumference and body length at birth revealed certain correlation with the retardation of mental development. Multiple regression analysis disclosed highly significant correlations of body length and cephalic circumference toward the birth weight. Therefore, both weeks of gestation and birth weight are the direct contributory factors to average development quotient. Based on this result, a prediction equation for the mental development after birth has been proposed. Low average DQ was found in high percentages among infants born with toxemia of pregnancy or premature rupture of membranes. However, it is suggested that they are not the direct causes of such retardation, but are rather provoking short weeks of gestation and low birth weight. In summary, the newborn with less than 37 weeks of gestation and below 2,000 grams of birth weight would be named and classified as a SFD (small for dates) with the problem for mental development (MD-SFD).