Hybrid developmental follow-up for preterm infants in Brazil: A feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric developmental neurology
• Early childhood development research
• Public health interventions in Brazil

Background:

• Low family engagement in developmental follow-up programs for at-risk preterm infants poses a significant challenge in Brazil.
• Effective early detection and intervention are crucial for optimizing developmental outcomes in preterm infants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of implementing a hybrid (telehealth and in-person) developmental follow-up program for preterm infants in Brazil.
• To assess participation rates, adherence, and the identification of developmental delays within this novel program format.

Main Methods:

• An observational, prospective cohort study involving preterm infants.
• Feasibility assessed through developmental test results, program participation frequency, and early intervention referrals.
• Utilized telehealth for General Movements (GMs) assessment, Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), and Survey of Wellbeing of Young Children (SWYC) Milestones; Bayley-III administered in-person.

Main Results:

• Out of 34 preterm infants followed to 12 months corrected age, 18 (52.9%) completed all assessments.
• High attendance rates were observed: 76.5% for telehealth and 76.5% for in-person assessments.
• 18 infants (52.9%) exhibited at least one abnormal developmental test result, leading to prompt referrals for early intervention.

Conclusions:

• A hybrid format demonstrates high feasibility, characterized by strong participation and minimal dropout rates in Brazilian preterm infant follow-up.
• The program effectively identifies infants with developmental delays, underscoring the critical need for timely detection and referral to early intervention services.