MOTOR DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE UNDERGONE THERAPEUTIC HYPOTHERMIA: WITH PARENTS’ VIEWS

Abstract

Objective: Neurodevelopmental follow-up of infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and supporting their development have great importance for the later years of their life. The aim of this study was to evaluate motor development outcomes of children with HIE who have undergone therapeutic hypothermia (TH) in Turkey with an objective assessment and the point of view of the parents, and to compare these two assessment methods. Materials and Methods: Twenty two cases (11 girls, 11 boys) with HIE who have undergone TH were included. Sixteen (72.7%) of the cases were classified as Sarnat Stage-2, and six (27.3%) of the cases were classified as Sarnat Stage-3. Motor development of the cases were evaluated by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-Third Edition (Bayley-III). Parents’views on their children’s development were examined with The Ages and Stages Questionnaire-2 (ASQ-2). Results: 68.2% (n=15) of the cases had normal motor development, 18.2% (n=4) had mild-moderate motor delay and 13.6% (n=3) had severe motor delay according to the Bayley-III motor scale results. When looking at the sub-areas of motor development, 68.2% (n=15) of the cases had normal gross motor development and 86.4% (n=19) of the cases had normal fine motor development. Additionally, 68.2% (n=15) of the cases demonstrated normal gross motor & fine motor development according to ASQ-2 results. Conclusion: Although there are some parallels in the results of the objective assessments and parental views regarding gross motor development, they differ in terms of fine motor development. However, ASQ-2 can be helpful for follow-up of children with HIE in situations where access to a clinician is limited or difficult and also it can provide an opinion to parents about their children’s development.