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Published on: November 20, 2015
Risk factors for cerebral palsy in premature infants identified during the pre and perinatal periods: a case-control
Emilia Andrade1, Edward Araujo Júnior, Liliam C Rolo
1Department of Public Health State, University of Ceará (UECE), Fortaleza‑CE, Brazil - araujojred@terra.com.br.
Insights
Premature infants face higher risks for neurosensory-motor issues, a precursor to cerebral palsy. This study highlights prematurity as a significant risk factor compared to full-term births.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Health
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Perinatal Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) affects individuals differently based on gestational age at birth.
- Understanding pre and perinatal risk factors is crucial for early intervention in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare pre and perinatal risk factors for cerebral palsy (CP) in premature infants versus full-term infants.
- To identify specific risk factors associated with CP in each group.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cross-sectional cohort study involving 48 infants (20 premature, 28 full-term) aged 4-8 months.
- Utilized questionnaires for maternal/neonatal factors and a neurosensory-motor development scale.
- Employed statistical tests including Student's t, chi-square, Fisher's exact, and Cramer's V.
Main Results:
- Premature infants were more likely to be small for gestational age (35%).
- Higher incidence of hyperbilirubinemia, anemia, respiratory distress syndrome, and periventricular hemorrhage in premature infants.
- 50% of premature infants showed neuromotor development alterations compared to 14.3% of full-term infants.
Conclusions:
- Prematurity is a significant risk factor for neurosensory-motor alterations suggestive of cerebral palsy.
- Early identification and management of risks in premature infants are critical for developmental outcomes.
Background:
The aim of this paper was to assess the pre and perinatal risk factors for cerebral palsy in premature infants, comparing them with full-term infants.
Methods:
This was a prospective cross-sectional cohort study on 48 infants between four and eight months of life, of whom 20 were born prematurely (<37 weeks of gestational age) and 28 at full term (37 to 42 weeks). A questionnaire was used, which investigated maternal reproductive, obstetric and neonatal factors, along with an evaluation scale for neurosensory-motor development of infants at risk of neuromotor alterations. For the statistical analysis, the Student's t, chi-square, Fisher's exact and Cramer's V tests were used.
Results:
All the newborns that were small for their gestational age (35%) were in the premature group (P=0.001). Hyperbilirubinemia (P=0.000), anemia (P=0.009), respiratory distress syndrome (P=0.000) and periventricular hemorrhage (P=0.025) were more frequent in the premature newborn group. Phototherapy and blood transfusion were more frequent among the premature infants: 70.0% vs. 25.0% (P=0.002) and 20.0% vs. 0.0% (P=0.025), respectively. Among the premature infants, 50.0% presented neuromotor development alterations, against only 14.3% of the full-term infants.
Conclusions:
Prematurity is an important risk factor for the development of neurosensory-motor alterations that are suggestive of cerebral palsy.
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