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Developmental delay in preterm infants during the first twelve months after birth and its risk factors
1Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Insights
Breastfeeding for the first year significantly reduces developmental delay in preterm infants. This study identified key risk factors and highlighted breastfeeding as a crucial predictor for healthy development in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric development
- Public health
Background:
- Developmental delay in preterm infants varies by region.
- Assessing developmental delay and risk factors in preterm infants in northwest Iran was the focus.
- This study examined preterm infants during their first 12 months of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess developmental delay in preterm infants.
- To identify risk factors for developmental delay in preterm infants in northwest Iran.
- To evaluate the impact of breastfeeding on infant development.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive-analytical study included 870 preterm infants (25–36 weeks) from 2019–2021.
- Data collected included basic and medical information.
- The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) assessed developmental status.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of developmental delay was 26.4%.
- Significant differences in developmental delay were linked to birth weight, Apgar score, ventilation, comorbidities, and breastfeeding.
- Breastfeeding during the first 12 months was a strong predictor of developmental delay.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding in the first year is a key predictor of normal development in preterm infants.
- Encouraging breastfeeding at birth can improve long-term quality of life for preterm infants.
- Targeted interventions supporting breastfeeding are crucial for optimizing preterm infant outcomes.
Background:
Developmental delay in preterm infants in different geographical areas has different risk factors. The present research was a large study aiming to assess developmental delay in preterm infants during the first 12 months after birth and its risk factors in northwest Iran (with multiethnic texture).
Materials And Methods:
Eight hundred and seventy preterm infants (25 to 36 weeks; up to 12 months) were included in this descriptive-analytical study from the beginning of 2019 to the end of 2021 in northwest Iran by the convenient sampling method. Patients' basic and medical information was recorded in the data collection form, and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) was used to assess children's developmental status.
Results:
The prevalence of developmental delay in this study was 26.4%. Regarding demographic characteristics such as age, height (at birth and one year of age), weight (at birth and one year of age), Apgar score (first and twentieth minutes), duration of ventilator connection, comorbidities and complications after birth, and breastfeeding during the first year of life, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups of infants with and without developmental delay. Breastfeeding during the first 12 months after birth alone could have the power to predict developmental delay in preterm infants.
Conclusion:
Breastfeeding in the first year of life is considered one of the most important predictors of normal development in preterm infants. Therefore, encouraging the parents of these infants to breastfeed their infants at birth can be a positive step in improving the quality of life of these infants in the future.
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