Neuro-development of high-risk newborns- An experience from rural tertiary care center of Western India

Abstract

Neurodevelopment of an infant is affected by various factors like birth weight, perinatal events, environmental factors, psychosocial, socioeconomic condition, genetic, racial and nutritional factors, and hypoxic ischemic Encephalopathy following perinatal Asphyxia. Timely and appropriate intervention can modify many of these disabilities.: To assess the neurodevelopmental outcome of high-risk neonates discharged from NICU. 80 Babies, discharged from NICU were followed up to the one year, and their Neurodevelopment assessment was done at 6 and 12 months of age by using DASII. Babies were diagnosed as delayed development if development quotient of < 70% was found. Associated risk factors like birth weight, gestational age at birth, perinatal events and course during NICU stay were analyzed.: Mean DMoQ and DMeQ and overall DQ at 6 month were 81%, 82%, 81.5% and at 12 months of age 85%, 86%and 85.5% respectively. Out of 80 patients, 16(20%) babies had development delay at 6th months and 10(12.5%) at 12 months. 16(20%) babies with delayed development at 6 months had DMoQ 46.2+14.7, DMeQ 42.7 +13.8 and Mean DQ of 44.5 +14.3. 10(12.5%) babies with delayed development at 12 months had DMoQ 65.5+15.5, DMeQ 61.6+16.5 and mean DQ of 63.5 +14.1. 9 out of 10 babies having delayed development at 12 months had birth asphyxia at birth. : We concluded that Incidence of neurodevelopment delay among high-risk infant is significantly high in babies with birth asphyxia, HIE and seizure. An appropriate follow-up program is helpful in early detection of development delay.