Motor coordination, Neurodevelopment and Behavioural problems in extremely low birth weight survivors during first four years of life

BACKGROUND -: Continued advances in neonatal intensive care have led to increased rates of survival in ELBW children (gestational age (birth weight <1000gm respectively). However, the surviving ELBW cohorts are at higher risk than term-born normal birth weight (NBW ≥2500 g) children for neurodevelopment, behavior and motor problems. AIM -: To evaluate motor, neurodevelopmental and behavior problems in a regional cohort of extremely low birth weight children during first four years of life. METHODS –: A Case Control study was done on 30 children aged between 3-4 years born ELBW attending neonatology OPD and they were compared with 30 age- matched controls for motor, neurodevelopment and behavioral problems using PBS, Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Third edition(Bayley-III) and CPMS. RESULTS-: Bayleys motor and cognition evaluation revealed that mean score was lower in ELBW as compared to NBW group (p-<0.05). Scores of Bayleys language component , however was not statistically different between two groups. The Paediatric Balance Scale ( PBS) and CPMS SCALE also revealed lower score in the ELBW group (p-<0.05)). CONCLUSION-: ELBW children are a group of high-risk children who face multiple impairments, especially cognitive, behavioral and interpersonal challenges of the classroom and therefore need multidisciplinary follow-up and early developmental intervention for optimal outcome. Motor, neurodevelopment and behavioral problems of all ELBW infants must be monitored after discharge to ensure that families receive appropriate support and intervention services to optimize outcome potential.