Document Type : original article
Authors
1 Neonatal Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
2 Pediatric Ward, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
3 Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
4 Research Development Center of Children Hospital, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Hormozgan, Iran
Abstract
Background: Preterm infants often face challenges in achieving developmental milestones compared to their full-term peers. This study aimed to investigate developmental abnormalities in preterm infants up to two years of age, identify related risk factors using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ).
Material and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study evaluated the developmental status of premature infants aged ≤ 2 years who attended the developmental clinic at Namazee Hospital, Shiraz, Iran during the year 2020. Developmental assessments were performed by reviewing medical charts and utilizing ASQ. Developmental items of communication, gross movements, fine movements, problem solving and social interactions at the ages of 4 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months were evaluated.
Results: Out of 77 studied infants, 28 (36.4%) were girls and 49 (63.6%) were boys with mean gestational age of 32.78 ± 2.74 weeks. Developmental disorders had the highest impairment in gross movement at 12 months (77%) and lowest impairment in communication at 4 months (39%). There was a correlation between social interactions with mode of delivery (p= 0.008), problem solving with parental consanguinity (p= 0.013), NICU admission with communication (p= 0.04) and birth weight with fine movement (p= 0.02) as well as folic acid consumption with gross movement (p= 0.03). Following, pairwise comparisons revealed a significant difference in communication scores between 4 months and 48 months of age (p= 0.033).
Conclusion: Monitoring the developmental progress of preterm infants using tools like the ASQ is vital for identifying those who may require additional support.
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