Prediction of 12-month neurodevelopmental outcome from a 6-month neurologic examination in premature infants

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 1995 Jun;34(6):290-9. doi: 10.1177/000992289503400601.

Abstract

This study examined whether a neurologic examination at 6 months of age is predictive of neurodevelopmental outcome at 12 months in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. A neurologic examination and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development were performed at 6 and 12 months with VLBW infants and full-term (FT) controls. VLBW infants were categorized based on early medical complications. High-risk (HR) infants had diagnoses of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary immaturity, grade III or IV intraventricular hemorrhage, and/or periventricular leukomalacia. VLBW infants with other diagnoses were placed in the low-risk (LR) group. Total neurologic scores (NS) improved over time for all three groups but improved more for HR infants, who had more abnormal NS at both time points; NS at 6 months predicted neurologic and developmental scores at 12 months for all three groups, but the relation between 6- and 12-month outcomes was strongest for the HR infants. The neurologic examination may be helpful in assessing VLBW infants' need for referral to early childhood intervention programs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Brain / growth & development*
  • Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / physiopathology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / physiopathology
  • Child Development*
  • Female
  • Forecasting
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight / growth & development*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature / growth & development*
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / physiopathology
  • Leukomalacia, Periventricular / physiopathology
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Lung / growth & development
  • Male
  • Motor Skills
  • Neurologic Examination*
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / physiopathology
  • Risk Factors