Neuro-Developmental Trajectories of Preterm babies: A Cohort Study inJaffna district of Sri Lanka

Abstract Background Preterm babies are more likely to develop cognitive, language, and motor deficits. Aim To analyse the neuro-developmental attainments of the babies followed up to 18 months and to identify selected risk factors contributing to the neurodevelopmental delay. Method An institution-based cohort study was carried out among 167 babies born at 28+ 1 to 36+ 6 weeks gestation at Teaching Hospital, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Neuro-development assessment was carried out using the Bayley Infant and Toddler III assessments at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months of their corrected age of prematurity. Results Trends of composite score of the cognitive domain increased from 3 to 6 months and continued to decrease till 18 months (p < 0.001), and language domain increased from 3 to 6 months and decreased at 12 months, and increased at 18 months (p = 0.529), while motor domain increased from 3 to 6 months, and continued to increase till 18 months (p < 0.001). Significant neuro-developmental delay was identified in 11 babies (6.6%). The risk factors considered for neurodevelopmental delay were children of employed mothers (OR: 1.354), born at very preterm (OR:1.460), treated for short-term complications (OR:2.337), admitted to NICU (OR:2.653), stayed at hospital for > 2weeks (OR:1.317), discharged from hospital with complications related to prematurity (OR:2.857) and re-hospitalized within 18 months (OR: 7.664). Conclusion Short-term complications influenced the neurodevelopment of preterm babies. Deterioration of cognitive composite scores highlights the need for cognitive stimulation of preterm infants.