Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Objective
Data on long-term outcomes of preterm (PT) and low birth weight (LBW) infants in countries with high rates of neonatal mortality and childhood stunting are limited, especially from community settings. The current study sought to explore growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of PT/LBW infants from a rural community-based setting of Kenya up to 18 months adjusted age.Design
Cross-sectional study.Setting
Migori County, Kenya.Participants
Three hundred and eighty-two PT/LBW infants (50.2% of those identified as eligible) from a cluster randomised control trial evaluating a package of facility-based intrapartum quality of care interventions for newborn survival consented for follow-up.Outcome measures
Caregiver interviews and infant health, growth and neurodevelopmental assessments were completed at 6, 12 or 18 months±2 weeks. Data included sociodemographic information, medical history, growth measurements and neurodevelopmental assessment using the Ten Questions Questionnaire, Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool and Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination. Analyses were descriptive and univariate regression models. No alterations were made to planned data collection.Results
The final sample included 362 PT/LBW infants, of which 56.6% were moderate to late PT infants and 64.4% were LBW. Fewer than 2% of parents identified their child as currently malnourished, but direct measurement revealed higher proportions of stunting and underweight than in national demographic and health survey reports. Overall, 22.7% of caregivers expressed concern about their child's neurodevelopmental status. Neurodevelopmental delays were identified in 8.6% of infants based on one or more standardised tools, and 1.9% showed neurological findings indicative of cerebral palsy.Conclusions
Malnutrition and neurodevelopmental delays are common among PT/LBW infants in this setting. Close monitoring and access to early intervention programmes are needed to help these vulnerable infants thrive.Trial registration number
NCT03112018.
SUBMITTER: Martin-Herz SP
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10476111 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
BMJ open 20230831 8
<h4>Objective</h4>Data on long-term outcomes of preterm (PT) and low birth weight (LBW) infants in countries with high rates of neonatal mortality and childhood stunting are limited, especially from community settings. The current study sought to explore growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of PT/LBW infants from a rural community-based setting of Kenya up to 18 months adjusted age.<h4>Design</h4>Cross-sectional study.<h4>Setting</h4>Migori County, Kenya.<h4>Participants</h4>Three hundred and ...[more]