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Published on: February 18, 2012
Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination in low-risk infants born very preterm: a longitudinal prospective study
Domenico M Romeo1,2, Massimo Apicella2, Chiara Velli1
1Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy.
Insights
This study tracked neurological development in very preterm infants using the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE). Findings show progressive maturation in HINE scores, providing valuable reference data for clinical and research use.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Developmental pediatrics
- Clinical neurophysiology
Background:
- Infants born very preterm are at increased risk for neurological impairments.
- Longitudinal data on early neurological development in low-risk very preterm infants are essential for accurate assessment.
- The Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) is a key tool for evaluating infant neurological status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normative profiles for global and single-item Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) scores.
- To describe the neurodevelopmental trajectory of low-risk infants born very preterm during the first year of life.
- To provide reference data for the HINE in a specific preterm infant population.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal assessment of 174 low-risk infants born before 32 weeks gestational age.
- HINE administered at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months corrected age.
- Analysis included global and single-item scores, with a focus on the 10th centile cut-off.
Main Results:
- A progressive increase in global HINE scores was observed over the first year.
- Most single HINE items, particularly those assessing tone, posture, and reflexes, demonstrated progressive maturation.
- Normative data, including median, range, and 10th centile cut-offs, were established for HINE scores.
Conclusions:
- The study provides crucial longitudinal normative data for the HINE in low-risk very preterm infants.
- These findings can serve as a valuable reference in clinical and research settings for monitoring early neurological signs.
- The data support the use of HINE as a tool to assess neurodevelopmental progress in this population.
Aim:
To describe the profile of global and single items of the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) in a population of low-risk infants born very preterm during the first year of life.
Method:
The HINE was performed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months' corrected age in a population of low-risk infants born preterm with a gestational age of fewer than 32 weeks and with normal or minimal changes on neuroimaging.
Results:
A total of 174 infants born preterm (96 males, 78 females; mean gestational age = 27 weeks [SD = 1.8], range 23-31 weeks) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The 10th centile cut-off score with median and range was reported for the HINE global and subsection scores. A progressive increase in global HINE scores was observed. Most of the single items, especially those related to tone, posture, and reflexes, showed progressive maturation.
Interpretation:
Our results, which provide longitudinal data for single-item and global scores in a population of low-risk infants born very preterm, can be used as a reference in both clinical and research settings to monitor early neurological signs in these infants. These data could be used as normative data when examining low-risk infants born preterm.
