Developmental outcomes and physical activity behaviour in children post major surgery: an observational study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Child Health Outcomes

Background:

• Neonatal major surgery poses potential neurodevelopmental risks for infants.
• Early life adverse events can impact long-term child development.
• Understanding developmental trajectories post-neonatal surgery is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess developmental outcomes at three years in infants following major neonatal surgery.
• To evaluate physical activity and sedentary behavior in this cohort.
• To compare outcomes with a non-surgical control group.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of infants undergoing major surgery within the first 90 days of life.
• Developmental status assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III).
• Physical activity and small screen recreation (SSR) measured via Preschool-Age Physical Activity Questionnaire (Pre-PAQ).

Main Results:

• 135 children (68 surgery, 67 control) assessed at age three.
• Surgical group showed significantly lower scores in cognition, receptive language, and fine motor skills.
• No significant differences in physical activity or SSR time between surgical and control groups.

Conclusions:

• Children who had major neonatal surgery are developmentally normal by age three but have not fully caught up in key domains.
• Both surgical and control groups exceeded recommended daily physical activity and screen time guidelines.
• Further monitoring of developmental progress and behavioral patterns is warranted.