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Updated: Nov 11, 2025

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

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HIV exposure and neurodevelopmental outcome in very low birth weight infants in a low-middle income setting: a

Cheryl Anne Mackay1, Refiloe Masekela2

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Dora Nginza Hospital, Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

AIDS Care
|March 25, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Maternal HIV status impacts neurodevelopment in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. HIV exposure was linked to lower scores, while magnesium sulfate and breastfeeding showed improved infant neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Neurodevelopmental impairment is a significant concern for premature infants.
  • Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants face heightened risks for developmental challenges.
  • Understanding factors influencing neurodevelopment in VLBW infants is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe neurodevelopmental outcomes in VLBW infants at 12 months postmenstrual age (PMA).
  • To correlate these outcomes with maternal HIV status.
  • To identify other factors associated with neurodevelopmental trajectories in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study involving VLBW infants (<1500g) from June 2017 to January 2019.
  • Follow-up assessments conducted at 12 months PMA.
  • Neurodevelopmental assessment using a general development quotient, with analysis of maternal HIV status, magnesium sulfate exposure, and breastfeeding.

Main Results:

  • Of 279 enrolled VLBW infants, 104 underwent neurodevelopmental assessment at 12 months PMA.
  • The mean general development quotient was 106.8, with 3% exhibiting moderate-to-severe or mild impairment.
  • HIV exposure correlated with lower developmental scores (104.3 vs. 109.0, p=0.005).
  • Antenatal magnesium sulfate (109.6 vs. 105.2, p=0.01) and breastfeeding (108.0 vs. 104.0, p=0.03) were associated with higher scores.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal HIV status is a significant factor associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes in VLBW infants at 12 months PMA.
  • HIV exposure in VLBW infants is linked to diminished neurodevelopmental scores.
  • Antenatal magnesium sulfate administration and breastfeeding are associated with improved neurodevelopmental outcomes in VLBW infants.

Keywords:
HIV-exposed uninfectedneonatologyneurodevelopmentprematurity

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