Neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years of age of premature neonates in Regional Queensland, Australia
Journal Contribution ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
The survival rate of premature neonates has increased over the past decade with infants surviving at an earlier gestational age (GA) and lower birth weights (BW) than previously recorded. Premature neonate's neurodevelopmental outcomes are influenced by many factors including GA, BW and neurological insult. Previous research suggests that almost half of premature neonates experience mild, moderate or severe developmental delay including academic, psychosocial and mental health difficulties. Recently, The Townsville Hospital (TTH) Neonatal Unit (North Queensland, Australia), a regional tertiary nursery, has established a follow-up clinic to assess neurodevelopmental outcomes of graduates at 2 years corrected age. The current study explored neurodevelopmental outcomes of neonates under 1500gms BW or less than 32 weeks GA. Forty-three 2 year-old graduates met criteria for the study and were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd edition (Bayley-III; Bayley, 2005) between December 2011 and April 2013. The Bayley-III measures cognitive, motor, language, social-emotional development and adaptive behaviours. Results indicated that GA significantly predicted positive adaptive behaviours, but not other developmental outcomes, however BW was not significantly correlated to any of the developmental outcomes. Non-parametric statistical analysis showed neonates with neurological changes identified via cranial ultrasound during their admission to the unit demonstrated significantly poorer cognitive and language development than those with no neurological changes. Further, neonates who had surgery during admission had significantly poorer cognitive, language and social-emotional development at age 2 years. Results of this study has implications for providing support and early intervention services to low gestational age neonates to improve their adaptive behaviours, or daily living skills. Further, neonates with neurological changes will also require additional support to enhance cognitive and language functioning, and social-emotional regulation skills. These findings are particularly important in the context of earlier surviving neonates.
Journal
Infant Mental Health Journal
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Volume
35
ISBN/ISSN
1097-0355
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Issue
3 (Supplement A)
Pages Count
2
Location
Edinburgh, UK
Publisher
Wiley
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