Predictors of disability in preterm infants during early childhood

Abstract

The aim was to assess the developmental evaluation of preterm infants during early childhood and predict of disability. Materials and methods. The data of 172 children were processed. Perinatal period, electroencephalographic patterns and developmental assessment by KID-RCDI-2000 was performed. Multivariate statistical logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of disability in young children. Results. Predictive factors of disability (from 38 clinical and instrumental characteristics) were following: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, electroencephalographic’s patterns as delta- and teta-rhythm, and developmental delay by developmental scale till 12 month corrected age. Conclusion. The tool for predicting the development delay and disability in children born prematurely was established by multiple logistic regressions. The basis predictors are clinical, instrumental (standard EEG), and developmental scale results. This allows of a practicing doctor to focus on the development of the child and to apply of children with developmental delays to early intervention or rehabilitative services.