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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Physical growth and neurodevelopmental indicators at corrected 6 months of age in preterm infants born at 22-32 weeks
Zhongfu Guo1, Chao Ning1, Wanxian Zhang1
1Tianjin Central Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Human Development and Reproductive Regulation, Nankai University Affiliated Maternity Hospital, 156 Sanma Road, Nankai District, Tianjin Municipality, China.
Insights
Infants born before 32 weeks gestation show improved neurodevelopmental outcomes by 6 months corrected age. Early interventions and standardized follow-up are crucial for preterm infants to reduce adverse outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care and developmental pediatrics.
- Perinatal medicine and infant neurodevelopment.
Background:
- Preterm infants born before 32 weeks gestation face risks for developmental challenges.
- Early assessment of neurodevelopmental indicators is vital for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the physical growth and neurodevelopmental status of preterm infants (Gestational age < 32 weeks) at 6 months corrected age.
- To identify risk factors associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 116 infants with Gestational age < 32 weeks.
- Assessment of General Movements (GMs) at 1 month corrected age.
- Evaluation of physical growth, GMs, and Gesell Developmental Diagnosis Scale (GDDS) at 3 and 6 months corrected age.
Main Results:
- Abnormal General Movements (GMs) decreased significantly from 1 month (86.21%) to 3 months corrected age (3.44%).
- The proportion of infants with a developmental quotient (DQ) ≤ 75 decreased from 69.82% at 3 months to 43.10% at 6 months corrected age.
- Gestational age, multiple births, early intervention, and intracranial hemorrhage were identified as independent risk factors for neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants (GA < 32 weeks) demonstrate improved neurodevelopmental outcomes by 6 months corrected age.
- Strengthening standardized follow-up and early neurodevelopmental interventions is essential for preterm infants.
- Timely interventions can mitigate adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in high-risk infants.
Objective:
To investigate the physical growth and neurodevelopmental indicators of Gestational age(GA)< 32 weeks infants at 6 months corrected age.
Methods:
This study included 116 infants, retrospectively analyzing GA<32 weeks infants who discharged from Tianjin Central Hospital of Gynecology and Obstetrics between April 2023 and August 2024. General movements (GMs) assessment was performed at 1 month corrected age. Physical Growth Indicators, GMs and Gesell Developmental Diagnosis Scale (GDDS) assessments were conducted at 3 and 6 months corrected age.
Results:
The proportion of abnormal GMs at 3 months corrected age (3.44%) was lower than that at 1 month corrected age (86.21%).At 6 months corrected age, the proportion of infants with a developmental quotient (DQ) ≤ 75 was 43.10%, lower than 69.82% at 3 months corrected age. GA and multiple births were independent risk factors for DQ ≤ 75 at 3 months corrected age. GA, early intervention, and intracranial hemorrhage were independent risk factors for DQ ≤ 75 at 6 months corrected age.
Conclusion:
At 6 months corrected age, GA<32 weeks infants exhibited greater neurodevelopmental outcome. Standardized follow-up and early neurodevelopmental interventions should be further strengthened for preterm infants to reduce the occurrence of adverse outcomes.
