Assessment of behaviour on the Brazelton scale in healthy preterm infants from 32 conceptional weeks until full-term age

20 healthy preterm infants were assessed weekly by the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale from 1–2 weeks after birth until they reached their expected date of birth. The gestational age of the infants ranged from 28 to 34 weeks. Although the full scale could not be used before 36 conceptional weeks. obvious progress in development was found for most items of the scale. In particular there was improvement in orienting responses and in motor performance during the observation period. At full-term age comparisons were made with a group of normal-term infants (n = 80). All premature infants underwent standard neonatal neurological examination at full term, and tests of neurological function and psychomotor development up to the age of 18 months.     

Neurological outcome at 6 and 12 months corrected age in hospitalised late preterm infants -a prospective study

Late preterm infants (34-0/7 to 36-6/7 weeks“ gestation) account for 10–20% of NICU admissions and are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Although they are prone to developmental delays, reports on neurological outcome during the first 2 years of life are scarce.The aim of the study was to assess neurological/neuromotor outcome in high risk late preterm infants at 6 and 12 months corrected age and the change in neurological scores over time, and to identify factors associated with the neurological outcome.The Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination was performed in a cohort of 157 late preterm infants admitted in the NICU. The infants were examined at 6 and 12 months corrected age respectively and scored with the optimality score system including 26 items assessing cranial nerve function, posture, movements, tone and reflexes. Also parents reported neurological milestones in the follow up visit.Infants at 6 months had a global score of 59 (47–76) and optimal scores achieved in 25.4%. At 12 months they had a global score of 70 (58–78) and achieved optimal scores in 63.2%. The subscores of posture, tone and reflexes gradually increased from 6 to 12 months corrected age. Being born small for gestational age was the only factor that adversely influenced HINE score at 6 and 12 months. At 12 months 58.5% achieved independent walking. High risk late preterm infants have suboptimal HINE scores at 6 and 12 months of age, suggesting a need for closer follow up and early intervention programs.     

早产儿脑额叶发育及其影响因素的研究

目的 应用三维超声技术探讨早产儿脑额叶发育及其影响因素.方法 选取222例无严重脑损伤的早产儿,应用三维超声对额叶体积进行测量.随访中分别在矫正年龄至40周、1个月、3个月、6个月及以后的时间进行全面的神经系统及体格发育检查,6个月内进行体积跟踪测定.结果 早产儿出生时额叶体积随胎龄的增加而增长.生后出现追赶性生长,在矫正年龄40周及1个月时增长最为迅速,达到甚至超过了足月儿,在以后的生长中逐渐落后于正常足月儿.早产儿成熟度越低,额叶体积越小,矫正年龄40周及以后的时间点,各组额叶体积数值相当,组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).宫内外营养情况较差的早产儿额叶体积的生长始终落后于生长发育正常的早产儿(P＜0.05).额叶体积生长严重落后的早产儿出现神经发育重度异常的几率较正常早产儿明显升高(50%).结论 早产儿额叶体积随胎龄增长而增加,生后短期内出现追赶性生长,宫内外营养状况影响额叶发育,体积测定值的异常与神经发育异常有关.     

Preterm infants' early developmental status is associated with later developmental outcome

Aim: To assess the development of preterm infants from 40 weeks gestational age to 18 months corrected age to identify early predictors of later development. Methods: Fifty‐one infants were involved. Infant development was assessed at 40 and 44 weeks gestational age with the Brazelton neonatal behavioral assessment scale and a self‐regulation scale and at 3, 6, 10, 18 months corrected age with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. The quality of general movements was assessed at 1 and 3 months corrected age and maternal attachment style at infant’s age of 6 months corrected age with the Relation Scale Questionnaire. Results: At term age and 1‐month corrected age, preterm infants were less mature and had lower levels of self‐regulation than full‐term infants. At 3 months corrected age, a higher proportion of preterm infants (43%) had mildly abnormal motor quality compared to the general population (25%). At all follow‐ups, preterm infants had delayed mental, motor and behavioural development, which was associated with the level of self‐regulation, motor quality and maternal attachment style. Maternal education level was the most predominant background factor related to infant development. Conclusion: Preterm infants show early‐in‐life deviations in self‐regulation, motor quality and development. These deviations are risk factors for later optimal functioning.     

晚期早产儿早期智能发育结局的研究

目的探讨晚期早产儿(LPI)早期智能发育结局。方法选择2012年1月至2015年1月新生儿病房收治的出生胎龄34~36+6周、治愈出院并定期规律随访的106例早产儿为晚期早产儿组;随机抽取同期120例健康足月儿(FPI)为对照组。对校正年龄40周的晚期早产儿及40周龄的足月儿进行新生儿神经行为测定(NBNA),晚期早产儿校正龄3、6、12月龄或者足月儿3、6、12月龄时采用Gesell发育量表进行评估。结果 LPI组NBNA评分低于37分,低于FTI组(P0.05)。校正龄3月龄时,LPI组大运动、精细运动、个人社交落后于FTI组(P0.05);校正龄6月龄时,LPI组适应性、大运动、精细运动落后于FTI组(P0.05);校正年龄12月龄时,LPI组适应性、大运动、个人社交测评明显低于FTI组(P0.05)。结论晚期早产儿早期智能发育迟缓,需加强神经发育监测。     

Follow-up of preterm children. I. Neurological assessment at 4 years of age

In a long-term prospective study, 46 unselected infants born before 35 completed weeks of gestational age were compared with 26 full-term infants. At 4 years of age, 44 preterms and 25 full-terms were available to follow-up. Two preterm children manifested abnormal neurological development, slight spastic diplegia in one case, and psychomotor retardation in the other. Both these cases had already been identified at 18 months of age. Thorough neurological assessment revealed a number of differences between the two groups indicating both delayed neurological maturation and mild dysfunction in the preterms. We drew up a neurological profile to describe these minor neurological signs. The preterms had poorer muscle tone, more spontaneous movements, and were less skilled in certain gross motor functions. They also showed less developed balance reactions, had difficulties in some coordination tests, and asymmetry was more common in neurological functions. In the different subsystems of the neurological profile we also found a greater variation in the preterm group than in the full-term group. There were no significant correlations within the preterm group between the neurological findings at 4 years of age and gestational age, birthweight, and prenatal or perinatal factors.     

未足月胎膜早破对早产儿神经发育的影响

目的探讨未足月胎膜早破对早产儿神经发育的影响。方法将早产儿根据产前有无胎膜早破分为未足月胎膜早破组（n=40）和对照组（n=37）。分别对二组患儿在纠正胎龄至40周、纠正胎龄后3个月、纠正胎龄后6个月进行新生儿神经发育评分（NBNA）及婴幼儿智能运动发育检测（CDCC）,比较二组神经发育情况。结果未足月胎膜早破组3个月及6个月运动心理发育指数（PDI）明显低于对照组,经统计学分析有显著性差异（Pa〈0.05）。二组NBNA评分、3个月及6个月智能发育指数（MDI）比较则无明显统计学差异（Pa〉0.05）。结论未足月胎膜早破对早产儿远期运动心理发育有明显的延迟和滞后的影响。     

Improvement of developmental outcome between 24 and 36 months corrected age in very preterm infants

Aim: To study early developmental course in preschool‐aged very preterm infants and its association with perinatal risk factors and test‐taking behaviour. Methods: Children born <30 weeks gestation and/or <1000 g in the Academic Medical Center of Amsterdam were assessed at 24 and 36 months corrected age with the Dutch Bayley Scales of Infant Development‐II (BSID‐II‐NL) and neurological examination. Linear regression analyses for developmental change were performed with perinatal risk factors. Results: One hundred and forty‐six children, mean GA 28 weeks and mean birth weight 1043 g, participated. Mental and psychomotor scores improved significantly with 6 and 7 points, respectively, from 24 to 36 months (p < 0.01). Mild to severe problems on at least one domain occurred less often at 36 (32%) compared to 24 months (63%) (p < 0.01), using corrected scores. Mental improvement was associated with being born very small for gestational age or <28 weeks; psychomotor improvement was associated with not being treated with indomethacin. Difficult test behaviour occurred mostly at 24 months and was associated with non‐optimal development at 36 months. Conclusion: Improved developmental outcome and test behaviour were found at 36 compared to 24 months in a cohort of very preterm children. Long‐term outcome studies and retesting of behaviourally difficult children are recommended.     

Feeding behaviour in preterm neonates

In 100 bottle-fed preterm infants feeding efficiency was studied by quantifying the volume of milk intake per minute and the number of teat insertions per 10 ml of milk intake. These variables were related to gestational age and to number of weeks of feeding experience. Feeding efficiency was greater in infants above 34 weeks gestational age than in those below this age. There was a significant correlation between feeding efficiency and the duration of feeding experience at most gestational ages between 32 and 37 weeks. A characteristic adducted and flexed arm posture was observed during feeding: it changed along with feeding experience. A neonatal feeding score was devised that allowed the quantification of the early oral feeding behavior. The feeding score correlated well with some aspects of perinatal assessment, with some aspects of the neonatal neurological evaluation and with developmental assessment at 7 months of age. These findings are a stimulus to continue our study into the relationships between feeding behaviour and other aspects of early development, especially of neurological development.     

General movements in infants born from mothers with early-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in relation to one year's neurodevelopmental outcome

Background:

Assessment of general movements (GMs) at three months is considered useful for prediction of adverse neurological outcome in high risk infants.

Aims:

To study the prevalence of abnormal GMs in infants born from women with early-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the association of GMs with neurodevelopmental outcome at one year.

Study design:

Prospective study, part of a randomised controlled trial of pre-birth management strategies.

Subjects:

Infants born from women with early-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Outcome measures:

GMs observation and neurological examination at term and three months corrected age; at one year neurological examination and Bayley Scales of Infant Development.

Results:

From 216 women included, 175 of 178 surviving infants (mean gestational age 31.6 weeks [SD 2.3], mean birth weight 1346 grams [SD 458]), were examined at three months. At term age normal, mildly abnormal and definitely abnormal GMs were observed in 54%, 36% and 10% respectively; and at three months in 47%, 40% and 13%. Mildly or definitely abnormal GMs at three months were not associated with abnormal neurological examination at one year, however, they were associated with delayed psychomotor development at one year (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

In this prospective study, including small for gestational age, preterm infants about half of them did not have normal GMs at term and three months. There was no association of GMs at term nor three months with neurological outcome at one year, but there was a significant association of GMs at three months with one year psychomotor development.     

Incidence of apnoea and bradycardia in preterm infants following triple antigen immunization

Ninety-seven preterm infants were immunized with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) prior to discharge from hospital. The mean gestational age at birth was 28.1 weeks (range 24-34) and the mean age at immunization was 80.6 days (range 44–257). Nineteen (20%) infants developed apnoea or bradycardia within 24 h of immunization. The infants who developed apnoea and/or bradycardia had a younger gestational age at birth than those who did not (P= 0.03), were artificially ventilated for longer (P= 0.01) and were more likely to have a diagnosis of chronic lung disease (P= 0.006). In the majority of infants these events were not clinically significant. Two infants who developed concurrent upper respiratory tract infections required additional oxygen and one of them was treated with oral theophylline. In general, it is safe practice to immunize preterm infants with DTP unless otherwise contraindicated. However, it is recommended that cardiorespiratory function is monitored after immunization in very preterm infants who had prolonged ventilatory support and/or chronic lung disease.     

早产儿矫正年龄1岁时神经发育特征分析

目的分析早产儿1岁时神经发育水平及并发症所致的影响,为改善神经发育预后提供资料。方法以住院治疗早产儿为研究对象,采集出生胎龄、出生体重与并发症等资料,应用Bayley婴幼儿发展量表评估神经发育水平。早产儿按胎龄、出生体重及有无某种并发症分组,统计各组智力发展指数(MDI)、精神运动发展指数(PDI)及神经发育等级构成。结果矫正年龄1岁时,早期早产儿组MDI、PDI均数均显著低于晚期早产儿组(P0.05),智力、精神运动发育迟滞率均显著高于晚期早产儿组(P0.01)。低出生体重儿组MDI、PDI均数均显著低于正常出生体重儿组(P0.01),智力、精神运动发育迟滞率均显著高于正常出生体重儿组(P0.01)。有高胆红素血症、出生窒息、呼吸窘迫综合征(NRDS)早产儿MDI、PDI均数分别显著低于无此类并发症者(P0.05)。结论胎龄越小、出生体重越低的早产儿智力和运动发育水平越差、发育迟滞率越高。引起早产儿神经发育损害的主要并发症可能是高胆红素血症、出生窒息和NRDS。     

Development of smooth pursuit eye movements in very preterm infants: 1. General aspects

Aim: To investigate early oculo‐motor development in a population‐based cohort of very preterm infants. Methods: Early oculo‐motor development was prospectively studied by measuring smooth pursuit eye movements at 2 and 4 months corrected age in a population of very preterm infants born in Uppsala County 2004–2007. Eighty‐one preterm infants were studied, and 32 healthy term infants constituted the control group. Results: The study group consisted of infants with a mean gestational age of 28 + 5 weeks. At 2 and 4 months corrected age, infants born very preterm showed lower gain (p < 0.001) and proportion of smooth pursuit eye movements (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. The boys showed higher gain of smooth pursuit eye movements at both 2 and 4 months corrected age, compared to girls. Conclusions: Oculo‐motor development measured by smooth pursuit eye movements is delayed in very preterm infants at 2 and 4 months corrected age. This might be a risk factor or early indicator of later perceptual and behavioural impairment.     

Neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 and 5 years of age in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants born between 2002 and 2009: A prospective cohort study in Taiwan

BackgroundNeurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants has been of great importance in recent decades. We determined the prevalence of abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes and associated risk factors of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infants at 2 and 5 years of age.MethodsWe conducted a population-based, prospective cohort study of VLBW preterm infants born between 2002 and 2009 in Taiwan. Sociodemographic, neonatal data, and neurological assessments at 2 and 5 years of age were obtained from the database of Taiwan Premature Infant Follow-up Network.ResultsOf the 6549 VLBW preterm infants included in the study, 5407 (82.56%) survived to discharge; 4105 and 1427 participated in follow-up assessments at age 2 and 5 years, respectively. At age 5 years, 76.87% (1097/1427), 12.05% (172/1427), and 8.76% (125/1427) of children had normal, borderline, and abnormal neurocognitive outcomes, separately. Among the enrolled children, 1385 were followed at both 2-year and 5-year-old. Among the 233 children with abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 5 years, nearly one-fifth (18.03%, 42/233) had normal or borderline neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 2 years. Among the 154 children with borderline neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 5 years, 71.43% (110/154) had normal or borderline neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 2 years. The risk factors significantly associated with disadvantageous (worsening or remaining unimproved) neurodevelopmental outcomes were lower gestational age, cystic periventricular leukomalacia, and paternal or maternal education ≤12 years.ConclusionAlmost one-fifth of VLBW preterm children with abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 5 years had normal or borderline neurologic and developmental assessments at age 2 years. For the high risk group such as VLBW preterm children, serial follow-up assessments beyond 2 years of age may be warranted and the eligibility of early intervention service should be revised by the government so proper and targeted intervention can be implemented at earlier age.     

晚期早产儿神经发育预后及影响因素分析

目的探讨晚期早产儿在校正年龄1岁时的神经发育情况及其影响因素。方法采用首都儿科研究所修订的《0～6岁小儿神经心理发育量表》,对2008年4月至2009年4月于本院产科分娩的晚期早产儿及足月儿在校正年龄/生后年龄满1岁时进行智能发育测试,按照发育商(DQ)将晚期早产儿分为神经行为发育异常组(DQ<85)和正常组(DQ≥85),分析可能对神经发育产生影响的社会家庭因素和临床相关因素,应用Logistic回归分析筛选影响晚期早产儿神经发育的危险因素。结果晚期早产儿组165例,校正年龄1岁时神经行为发育异常9例(5.5%),对照组102例,1岁时神经行为发育异常3例(2.9%),两组差异有统计学意义(χ2=5.047,P<0.05)。1岁时晚期早产儿DQ低于足月儿[(93.8±7.5)分比(98.8±9.8)分,P<0.05],其大运动、精细动作、语言均落后于足月儿。极低出生体重(OR=2.175)、低血糖(OR=1.924)、母亲文化程度初中以下(OR=0.602)是影响晚期早产儿神经发育预后的危险因素(P<0.05)。结论晚期早产儿是发生不良神经预后的高危人群,与极低出生体重、低血糖、母亲文化水平低密切相关。     

围产因素对早期早产儿淋巴细胞亚群演变趋势的影响

目的 了解早期早产儿淋巴细胞亚群变化趋势及围产因素的影响。方法 流式细胞术检测61例早期早产儿生后第1、7、14、28 天以及其中17 例早期早产儿出生后6 个月的淋巴细胞亚群水平。分析围产期因素的影响。结果 早期早产儿出生时除自然杀伤（NK）细胞外各亚群淋巴细胞绝对计数均处于最低水平,1 周时迅速升高,6 个月升至正常;NK 细胞至6 个月方增高。与胎龄P P 0.05）;第7、14 天的B 细胞绝对计数以宫内感染组较高（P P 结论 早期早产儿出生时免疫细胞数量不足,以后逐渐增高,6 个月左右达正常。母亲产前使用激素以及出生胎龄、宫内感染、UU 定植等多种围产因素对早期早儿淋巴细胞亚群水平有较长时间的影响。     

极早产儿存活率和并发症的多中心回顾性研究

目的 研究极早产儿存活率和严重并发症发生情况,并分析其影响因素.方法 回顾性收集2018年1月至2019年12月江苏省11家医院新生儿科收治的极早产儿(胎龄<32周)的一般资料,分析其存活率和严重并发症发生情况,采用多因素logistic回归分析评估极早产儿死亡和严重并发症发生的危险因素.结果 共纳入极早产儿2339例...     

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Hamburg: An Epidemiological Analysis of 150 Cases

ABSTRACT. A retrospective analysis was carried out of 150 SIDS cases seen in the five year period between 1979 and 1983 in Hamburg, Germany. The overall incidence was 2.3 per 1000 live births. 82% of all infants and 100% of the preterm infants (corrected according to gestational age) dying of SIDS, died within the first 6 months of life. Infants of mothers < 18 years of age, infants with more than 2 siblings, infants with birthweight < 1500 g and SGA-preterm infants were found to be high-risk subgroups. A high percentage (20% of all cases, 43% of infants with mothers < 18 years) were underweight at death (under the 3rd weight-percentile). The study emphasizes the complexity of internal and external factors in the etiology of SIDS.     

Pharmacokinetics and dosing of arbekacin in preterm and term newborn infants

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to determine pharmacokinetic variables and to characterize a new initial dosing regimen of arbekacin (ABK) for preterm and term newborn infants. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Subjects were 40 infants treated with ABK in a tertiary care neonatal unit over a period of 18 months. At birth, the infants were 23 5/7-40 0/7 weeks and weighed 530-3428 g. Serum ABK concentration was measured at two points in a course of treatment. Data were analyzed by a one-compartment model to obtain volume of distribution (Vd) and clearance (CL) of ABK. These variables were correlated with the patients' demographic and laboratory data. The new initial dosing regimen was determined based on these data. RESULTS: Sixty pairs of blood samples were taken from the infants. They were divided into three groups: preterm early (PE), gestational age (GA) < 37 weeks and postnatal age (PNA) < 28 days; preterm late (PL), GA < 37 weeks and PNA >or= 28 days; and term (T), GA >or= 37 weeks and PNA < 28 days. The Vd was 0.50 +/- 0.02, 0.48 +/- 0.04, and 0.43 +/- 0.03 L/kg, and CL was 0.59 +/- 0.04, 1.12 +/- 0.10, and 0.78 +/- 0.09 mL/min per kg (mean +/- SEM) in PE, PL, and T, respectively. The new dosing regimen is 5 mg/kg every 48 h, 5 mg/kg every 24 h, and 4 mg/kg every 24 h for PE, PL, and T, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: With the new dosing regimen, more infants achieved serum ABK levels within the optimal range than the conventional one.     

Preterm infants fed nutrient‐enriched formula until 6 months show improved growth and development

Background: The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of feeding nutrient‐enriched preterm formula to preterm infants until 6 months' corrected age (CA) on growth and development in the first 18 months of life. Methods: Very low‐birthweight preterm infants were fed preterm formula until term (40 weeks CA). Infants were then assigned to one of three groups and were fed term formula until 6 months' CA (group 1, n= 29); preterm formula to 3 months' CA and then term formula to 6 months' CA (group 2, n= 30); or preterm formula until 6 months' CA (group 3, n= 31). Anthropometry was performed at term, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and at s18 months' CA. Mental and psychomotor development were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II at 18 months' CA. Results: Although body weight, length, head circumference and z score for CA at term in group 3 were significantly lower than those of groups 1 and 2, growth rates of these parameters were significantly higher in group 3 up to 18 months CA', as compared to groups 1 and 2. The mental developmental index and psychomotor developmental index of the Bayley test were not significantly different between the three groups. Conclusions: Very low‐birthweight preterm infants fed nutrient‐enriched preterm formula until 6 months' CA demonstrated significantly improved growth rates for bodyweight, length and head circumference, and comparable mental and psychomotor development throughout the first 18 months of life.