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Evolutional neurologic evaluation of seven year-old children born prematurely
L Ohlweiler1, L Alfano, N T Rotta
1Department of Pediatrics, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (HPCA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, School of Medicine, Brazil.
Insights
Children born prematurely show developmental disturbances like impulsiveness and enuresis. Specific neurological evaluations revealed differences in motor skills and balance compared to full-term peers.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Prematurity is associated with potential long-term developmental challenges.
- Understanding these challenges is crucial for early intervention and support.
- Previous research indicates varied outcomes for premature infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare developmental outcomes in 7-year-old children born prematurely versus those born at term.
- To identify specific developmental disturbances prevalent in the premature group.
- To assess the utility of clinical, neurological, and evolutional neurological evaluations in differentiating these groups.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 51 children (aged 7) with a history of prematurity (gestational age ≤37 weeks 6 days, weight <2,500 g) was compared to 44 age-matched children born at term (gestational age 38–42 weeks, weight >2,500 g).
- Evaluations included clinical examination, neurological examination, and the evolutional neurological evaluation (ENE).
Main Results:
- Premature children exhibited higher prevalence of impulsiveness, aggressiveness, disorganization, and enuresis.
- Neurological examination did not significantly differentiate groups, except for cerebral palsy, which was exclusive to the premature group.
- Evolutional neurological evaluation (ENE) identified significant differences in dynamic balance, appendicular and trunk-limb coordination, and motor persistence.
Conclusions:
- Prematurity is linked to specific developmental disturbances in childhood, particularly in behavioral and motor domains.
- While general neurological exams may not show differences, detailed functional assessments like ENE can reveal subtle developmental delays.
- Early identification of these subtle motor and balance issues in premature children is vital for targeted interventions.
Abstract:
A sample of 51 children aged 7 with a history of prematurity was compared to 44 age-matched children who were born at term at the HCPA. The premature children had had gestational ages up to 37 weeks and 6 days and were born weighing less than 2,500 g. The control group consisted of children born with gestational age between 38 and 42 weeks and weights above 2,500 g. The evaluation criteria were clinical examination, neurological examination and the evolutional neurological evaluation (ENE). The results pointed out that impulsiveness, aggressiveness, disorganization and enuresis were prevalent symptoms of developmental disturbances in the sample of prematures. Alterations at neurological examination did not discriminate between the two groups, although cerebral palsy occurred only in the group of prematures. The ENE functions which differentiated the two groups studied were dynamic balance, appendicular and trunk-limb coordination and motor persistence.