Neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants

Authors : Arzu Ekici, Emine Gülben Yurdagül, Günel Aghazada, Taha Metin, Sevgi Yimenicioğlu
Pages : 66-72
View : 50 | Download : 41
Publication Date : 2024-07-29
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Objective: The increasing technological equipment of neonatal intensive care units (NICU), the experienced intensive care team, and the use of supportive treatments (antenatal corticosteroid, surfactant) increased the survival rates of premature babies and therefore the morbidity rates. It was aimed at evaluating the frequency of cerebral palsy (CP) and epilepsy, which are the most common neurological problems at premature infants (≤ 34 weeks of age). Method: Two hundred fifty-three premature infants who were born ≤ 34 weeks of age and followed between 2016 and 2020 were included in this study. Patients’ gestational age, birth weight, mechanical ventilation, seizure status, internalization duration in the NICU, neurologic examinations, and DDST-II of the patients were reviewed. Result: The mean gestational age was 29.44 (24–34) weeks and the birth weight was 1225 (990–1607) grams. During the NICU stay, 26 patients (10.3%) had seizures. Seizures were the most common in 28–31-week preterms (57.7%; p=0.02). Fifty-five (21.7%) patients had abnormal DDST-II. There was a significant difference between seizures in the neonatal period and internalization duration and abnormal DDST-II (respectively p <0.001, p<0,05). Forty-six patients (15.8%) had neurodevelopmental delay, and nine (3.6%) had CP (five had hemiparetic CP, two had spastic paraplegia, and two had spastic tetraparesis). Sixteen (6.3%) patients had epilepsy; 9 (3.6%) had speech disturbance; 3 (1.2%) had hydrocephaly; 1 (0.4%) had microcephaly; and 1 (0.4%) had macrocephaly. Epilepsy was more common in patients with neonatal seizures (p<0.001). Coclusion: Continuous developmental monitoring and evaluation allows for the early detection of developmental delays in preterm infants. Early recognition and referral to rehabilitation programs can reduce the level of sequel. We mostly encountered neurodevelopmental delay, CP, epilepsy, and speech disturbance
Keywords : serebral palsi, DDST II, epilepsi, erken doğmuş bebekler

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