Neurobehaviour at term‐equivalent age and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years in infants born moderate‐to‐late preterm. (24th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spittle, Alicia J; Walsh, Jennifer M; Potter, Cody; Mcinnes, Emma; Olsen, Joy E; Lee, Katherine J; Anderson, Peter J; Doyle, Lex W; Cheong, Jeanie L Y
• Is Part Of: Developmental medicine & child neurology. Volume 59:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 207
• Page End: 215
• Publication Date: 2016-10-24
• Subjects: Child development -- Periodicals; Pediatric neurology -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.13297
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0012-1622

Abstract

Abstract : Aim: To examine the association between newborn neurobehavioural assessments and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years in infants born moderate‐to‐late preterm (MLPT). Method: Two‐hundred and one infants born MLPT (born 32–36 +6 wks' gestation) were assessed with the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE) and NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS), with suboptimal performance defined as scores lower than the 10th centile. Development was assessed at 2 years corrected age with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development 3rd Edition, with delay defined as scores less than 1 standard deviation (SD) below the mean. The relationships between neurobehaviour at term and Bayley‐III cognitive, language, and motor scales at 2 years were examined using linear regression. Results: Increased odds for cognitive delay were associated with suboptimal HNNE total scores (odds ratio [OR] 2.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14–6.23, p =0.020) and suboptimal NNNS excitability (OR 3.01; 95% CI 1.33–6.82, p =0.008) and lethargy (OR 4.05; 95% CI 1.75–9.31, p =0.001) scores. Suboptimal lethargy scores on the NNNS were associated with increased odds of language (OR 5.64; 95% CI 1.33–23.85, p =0.019) and motor delay (OR: 6.86; 95% CI 1.64–28.71, p =0.08). Interpretation: Suboptimal performance on specific aspects of newborn neurobehavioural assessments is associated with neurodevelopmental delay at 2 years in children born MLPT. What this paper adds: Poor performance on the lethargy and excitability scales of the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) is associated with worse cognitive outcomes at 2 years in infants born moderate‐to‐late preterm (MLPT). Poor performance on the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination is also associated with worse cognitive outcomes at 2 years in infants born MLPT. Poor performance on the NNNS lethargy scale is associated with motor and language delay at 2 years in infants born MLPT. This article is commented on by Hadders‐Algra on pages122–123 of this issue.