Neuromotor and cognitive outcomes of preterm infants at three months of corrected age in a northeastern region of Brazil: A longitudinal feasibility study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Investigating the development of preterm infants is crucial for identifying the need for early intervention during a critical period of optimal neurological development. This study hypothesized that the development of premature infants living in economically vulnerable regions may be impaired in the first months of life. OBJECTIVE To monitor the development of preterm infants residing in the northeastern region of Brazil, from admission to intensive care until three months of corrected age. METHODS Following previous studies that support the need to investigate the development of premature infants living in economically vulnerable regions, twenty preterm infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestational age were included, with a total of 67 assessments performed. These comprised 21 Motor Optimality Score evaluations, 22 Test of Infant Motor Performance assessments, 8 Bayley III-Cognitive Subscale assessments, 8 Bayley III-Motor Subscale assessments, and 10 evaluations of mother-infant interaction using the Recorded Interaction Task. RESULTS Infants exhibited low scores on the Motor Optimality Score both during hospitalization and at three months of corrected age, decreased motor performance, and motor and/or cognitive abilities below average at three months. All dyads demonstrated good interaction quality CONCLUSIONS The development of preterm infants appears to be negatively affected between hospital discharge and three months of corrected age.