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Neurological and psychological development of low-risk preterm infants in the first year of life
Insights
Most low-risk preterm infants show temporary neurological abnormalities in their first year. However, these transient signs did not lead to major neurological issues or learning disabilities in this study.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Developmental pediatrics
Background:
- Assessing neurological development in preterm infants is crucial for early identification of potential issues.
- Transient neurological abnormalities are common in preterm infants, but their long-term significance requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively study the evolution of neurological signs in low-risk preterm infants during their first year.
- To evaluate the prognostic value of transient neurological abnormalities concerning future learning disabilities.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 24 low-risk preterm infants and 10 full-term infants.
- Neurological assessments using the Amiel-Tison neurological schedule and developmental assessments with the Griffiths scale at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.
- Monitoring for major neurological sequelae such as cerebral palsy or mental impairment.
Main Results:
- A high percentage of preterm infants (69% and 75% in different gestational age groups) exhibited transient neurological anomalies.
- No major neurological sequelae (cerebral palsy, mental impairment) were observed in the study cohort.
- All infants demonstrated psychological development within normal limits throughout the first year.
- A significant decrease in performance was noted at the sixth month in preterm groups, especially those with lower gestational age.
Conclusions:
- Transient neurological abnormalities are frequent in low-risk preterm infants but do not appear to result in major long-term neurological deficits.
- Early developmental performance at six months may warrant further monitoring in preterm infants.
- Long-term follow-up is necessary to fully understand the implications of early neurological findings and developmental trajectories.
Abstract:
Twenty-four selected low-risk preterm and 10 full-term infants were followed in a prospective study of the evolution of neurological signs in the first year of life and to consider the prognostic value of transient neurological abnormalities in relation to learning disabilities at school age. We report the results of the assessments made during the first 12 months. The assessment at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months was made using the Amiel-Tison neurological schedule and the Griffiths developmental scale. A high percentage of our low-risk premature infants (69% of 37-34 weeks gestational age and 75% of 33-27 weeks gestational age group) showed transient neurological anomalies, whereas no major neurological sequelae, i.e., cerebral palsies or mental impairment, were found. Moreover, in our series, the syndrome of transient dystonia associated with low birth weight, already described by other authors in samples not selected for risk, was not observed. The psychological development of all our infants was within normal limits at every assessment. Nevertheless, a significantly decreased performance at the sixth month in both preterm groups, particularly in the group of low gestational age, was found, and its significance will be clarified by further follow-up studies of early school age.