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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Assessment of child development in premature babies based on the ICF biopsychosocial model
Gentil G DA Fonseca Filho1, Ana C Lopes1, Ruth B Bezerra1
1Department of Physiotherapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Insights
This study highlights how personal factors and body functions influence premature infant development, aligning with the International Classification of Functionality (ICF) biopsychosocial model. Early intervention is key for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- The International Classification of Functionality (ICF) offers a holistic health view, crucial for multiprofessional teams.
- Incorporating the ICF model in health services presents challenges, especially in low-income countries like Brazil.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze premature infant development using the ICF's biopsychosocial model.
- To understand the factors influencing neurodevelopment in premature babies.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study was conducted in a maternity setting in Northeast Brazil.
- Thirty-five premature infants were assessed, with 20 followed up at one year.
- Data included pre/perinatal factors, socioeconomic status, environmental influences, general movements, and the Age and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3).
Main Results:
- At one year, 55% showed altered general movements and 35% had intraventricular hemorrhage.
- Developmental delays were observed in communication (15%), gross motor (20%), fine motor/problem-solving (40%), and personal/social (35%) domains via ASQ-3.
- Only male sex and intraventricular hemorrhage were associated with atypical development.
Conclusions:
- Personal factors and body function/structure significantly influence atypical neurodevelopment in premature infants.
- The ICF's biopsychosocial model provides a comprehensive framework for assessing and managing premature newborns.
- A global perspective, as offered by the ICF, is essential for comprehensive care of premature infants.
Background:
The International Classification of Functionality (ICF) has been recommended to enable a broader and more holistic view of an individual's health condition. In addition, it works as an important reference for multiprofessional teams. In low-income countries, like Brazil, the attempts to systematize and incorporate the ICF model in health services has been a challenge.
Aim:
The aim was to analyze the development of premature babies considering the biopsychosocial model of the ICF.
Design:
A longitudinal study.
Setting:
Maternity in the northeast Brazil.
Population:
Thirty-five premature babies were evaluated in the first stage and 20 in the second.
Methods:
Pre, perinatal, socioeconomic data and environmental factors were collected, and general movements assessed during the 38th (±1.79) week of corrected gestational age. The Age and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) was used to assess child development, in the 13th (±1.50) month of life. The instruments were chosen with the objective of evaluating information necessary for the follow-up of premature infants and to represent the five domains of the ICF.
Results:
Of the 35 newborns initially evaluated, 20 were reassessed at 1 year of age and 70% were boys. In the function and structure domain, 55% exhibited altered general movements and 35% grade 1 intraventricular hemorrhage; in activity and participation, 15% displayed delayed communication, 20% delayed ample motor coordination, 40% fine motor coordination and problem resolution and 35% personal/social delay in the ASQ-3. Only one item of the personal factors (male sex) and function and structure domain (intraventricular hemorrhage) exhibited an association with atypical child development.
Conclusions:
Given the susceptibility of premature newborn neurodevelopment and the magnitude of the biopsychosocial model of the ICF, even at this early stage of life, it was possible to observe the influence of personal factors, body function and structure domains on atypical child development.
Clinical Rehabilitation Impact:
The care for the premature newborn with global look of the classification of functioning, disability and health.
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