PriMera Scientific Medicine and Public Health (ISSN: 2833-5627)

Case Study

Volume 3 Issue 2

Early Motor Developmental Trajectories of Pre Term Infants With Very Low Birth Weight - An Observational Study

Sashikala Bandaru* and Mani Havya Kalindi

July 28, 2023

DOI : 10.56831/PSMPH-03-081

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Abstract

Introduction: Very low birth weight (VLBW) is a term used to describe babies who are born weighing less than 1,500 grams (3 pounds, 4 ounces). Infants who are born preterm with low birth weight and secondary to intrauterine growth restriction, can be subjected to increased morbidity, mortality, and cost [5]. Babies with a very low birth weight are at a higher risk of motor development, depression, Attention deficits and other psychiatric conditions in adulthood, compared with those born a healthy weight [6]. The purpose of this study is to find out the effect of very low birth weight and gestational age on motor development in preterm infants at 18 months of corrected age.

Materials and Methods: This study is a observational study design and was conducted in VAPMS College of Physiotherapy, outpatient Department and R.K. MISSION hospital. A study sample of 50 subjects was selected on simple random sampling method. The study questionnaire was applied and the infants were prospectively evaluated using Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) for their gross motor development at 18 months of corrected age. The observational study was done for 20 minutes for each infant. In addition, the perinatal and the socio-environmental data were obtained from the parental interview. The assessment emphasizes the anti gravity movement of the limbs in prone, supine, sitting and standing positions, postural alignment, weight bearing of the body with further evaluation in attainment of gross motor skills.

Results: The sample was segregated into three sub group model and thus identified 3 motor trajectories among VLBW preterm infants: stably normal (n=36), slightly deteriorating (n=11), persistently delayed (n = 3). Infants with a normal trajectory manifested the typical motor performance with AIMS Z scores of 0.4 to 0.5. Infants with deteriorating trajectory displayed the motor performance in the typical range initially but then deteriorated from 12 months. Infants with a persistently delayed trajectory revealed a significant delay from 9 months. All the infants were observed at 18 months of corrected age.

Conclusion: The study concluded that very low birth weight has a significant effect on the motor development observed in preterm infant. The early motor trajectories were also a predictive of subsequent developmental outcomes in preterm infants specifically with VLBW. In addition the study emphasizes that socio-environmental factors are not associated with motor trajectories in preterm infants with VLBW.

Keywords: Very low birth weight; Preterm infant; Gross motor trajectories

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