Neurodevelopmental Delay in Premature Ecuadorian Children Born Weighing Less than 1500 g: a Follow-up Study

Abstract

To determine neurodevelopmental disorders at 3 years of age in two cohorts of premature infants with at least two comorbidities and weigh less than 1500 g, applying the neurodevelopmental scales EDI and Brunet-Lezine. Epidemiological study, observational study, and cross-sectional study were performed at Neonatology Service of the Gynecological Obstetric Hospital Isidro Ayora, Quito, between 2015 and 2016. It analyzed 204 neonates, distributed in two cohorts, 102 premature newborns under 1500 g with two comorbidities and 102 under 1500 g with more than two comorbidities at birth. Mestizo mothers, between 25 and 39 years of age, with two or more comorbidities, including hypertension, preeclampsia, and HELLP syndrome, show children with greater neurodevelopmental delay. Children under 1500 g, born between 33 and 36 weeks of gestation and with moderate asphyxia or respiratory depression, whose mother had two more comorbidities are related with a greater delay in neurodevelopment, at 36 months of age when they were evaluated. The patent ductus arteriosus, connate infection, and hydrocephalus are the pathologies on admission which relates with preterm with neurodevelopment delay and with weight. Severe asphyxia, weight between 700 and 900 g, and presence of connate infection early sepsis and septic shock combined cause neurodevelopmental delay. Delay in neurodevelopment is present in the 11.8% of patients (24/204), at 3 years of age. Mestizo mothers between 25 and 39 years of age with two or more comorbidities, including hypertension, preeclampsia, and HELLP syndrome, with children born between 33 and 36 weeks of gestation, and born with severe asphyxia, show children with greater neurodevelopmental delay.