Neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants
Authors:   Neonatology Department, “Prof. Dr. Panait Sarbu” Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bucharest, Romania, Bran-Popescu Cristina Andreea , Saulea Oana ,   Neonatology Department, “Prof. Dr. Panait Sarbu” Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bucharest, Romania, Susanu Monica ,   Neonatology Department, “Prof. Dr. Panait Sarbu” Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bucharest, Romania, Tropcin Elena ,   Neonatology Department, “Prof. Dr. Panait Sarbu” Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bucharest, Romania, Vasiliu Brandusa ,   Neonatology Department, “Prof. Dr. Panait Sarbu” Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bucharest, Romania, Hofman Catalina ,   Neonatology Department, “Prof. Dr. Panait Sarbu” Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bucharest, Romania, Rosca Ioana ,   Neonatology Department, “Prof. Dr. Panait Sarbu” Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bucharest, Romania,   “Carol Davilla” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Serban Marcela ,   Neonatology Department, “Prof. Dr. Panait Sarbu” Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bucharest, Romania, Badea Andreea ,   “Carol Davilla” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania,   Pediatric Neurology Department, “Prof. Dr. Alexandru Obregia” Clinical Hospital of Psychiatry, Bucharest, Romania, Tocariu Raluca ,   Neonatology Department, “Prof. Dr. Panait Sarbu” Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bucharest, Romania
Published: November 2024

Background and objectives. Preterm is defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed. It is one of the world's critical health problems because it may be a significant cause of long-term neurodevelopmental disability. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the impact of premature birth and brain injuries on neurological development and to identify problems as soon as possible in order to prevent or minimize sequelae as much as possible. Materials and methods. Between June 2022 and July 2024, 374 infants were examined at “Prof. Dr. Panait Sarbu” Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Each baby's gross and fine motor development was assessed, cognitive acquisitions were evaluated using an adapted Denver Developmental Screening Test, and where needed, physical therapy, head ultrasound/MRI, EEG, or genetic tests were recommended. Results. From the 374 infants evaluated (M/F: 142/232), 72 were excluded considering the normal term of birth. Of the other 302, 23 did not present for follow-up checks after one or two appointments, and 54 completed all evaluations up to 21-24 months (the study is ongoing). 5/54 had poor neurodevelopmental outcomes, almost all due to very preterm birth. From the remaining 225 babies, with a few exceptions with variable neurological damage (13/225), no motor or cognitive development abnormalities have been observed in the evaluations carried out so far. Conclusions. In our cohort, almost all babies who completed or did not the follow-up program had normal development (261/279), but in some cases, prematurity, brain lesions, or genetic causes remain associated with a poor long-term outcome. Establishing a follow-up system for premature infants is necessary because early management during the period of higher brain plasticity may prevent neurological complications and improve the quality of life.