Retrospective observational study of first-year developmental outcomes following congenital microcephaly

Objective Determine the association between persistent versus resolved microcephaly and motor developmental outcomes in infants with congenital microcephaly. Study design Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development ® were collected for all children with congenital microcephaly seen in a NICU Follow-Up Clinic 2015–2024. A linear mixed model was fit to assess the relationship between microcephaly (resolved vs. persistent) with respect to Bayley motor composite scores in the first year. Results Seventy-eight infants had head circumference measurements and Bayley motor composite scores at both visit 1 and visit 2. Infants with persistent microcephaly at 4-6 months had mean motor scores 12.07 (95% CI [-22.94, -1.19], p = 0.02) points lower than peers with resolved microcephaly. By 9–12 months, these differences were no longer significant. Conclusion Persistent microcephaly was associated with lower motor development scores at 4-6 months compared to children with resolved microcephaly. This simple, anthropometric measurement may be useful in predicting early motor development.