Ab. No. 71 Evaluate the Neurobehavioral Status of Preterm Infants at Term Equivalent Age

Abstract

Introduction: Neurobehavioral development of preterm infants differs from term born infants at term equivalent age and has been shown to be related to environmental and biological factors. Importantly, differences has been shown in neurobehavioral developmental at term in preterm children compared with term born children are associated with later motor, cognitive and behavioural difficulties and contribute to neurodevelopmental impairments in school-age children born preterm. The purpose of the study is to assess the neurobehavior development in infants born as preterm, for early intervention. The study focuses on age-appropriate movement patterns, motor milestones and any delayed development in infants born as preterm. Methods: Total 25 patients, Very Preterm Infants - 13, Late Preterm Infants- 12, From Dhiraj general hospital. Group 1 (VPI), Group 2 (LPI) were assessed at the time of discharge using HNNE at term corrected age. Each of the 34 items on the HNNE was assigned an optimality score of 0, 0.5, 1 totaling up to 34. Descriptive demographics and clinical data statistics were analysed by SPPS 26 software and quantitative comparison of neurobehavior was made using two sample t-tests. Result: Total 25 infants (13 VPI and 12 LPI),the mean of VPI was (20.077 ± 1.2221/ 34), LPI was (25.250 ± 1.3899/34) with a mean difference of 5.173 (0.0001). Conclusion: VPI are more immature than their term counterparts even on reaching TCA. The pattern of abnormality varied to various perinatal exposures neurobehavior examination at term equivalent age is useful in evaluating the impact of neonatal intensive care. Implication: Assessment of neurobehavior from birth helps determining, the term newborn is developing normally or not, impact of various exposures to perinatal variables whether the infant may have any long term developmental problems so, that appropriate interventions can be commenced immediately.