A comparison of the performance of normal middle social class Egyptian infants and toddlers with the reference norms of the Bayley Scales -third edition (Bayley III): A pilot study

Background Developmental assessment is an important facility for early detection and intervention of developmental delay in children. Objective: to assess the performance of a sample of middle social class Egyptian infants and toddlers on Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-third edition (Bayley III), and to compare their cognitive, motor, and communication scores with that of the reference norms. Methods It was a cross-sectional pilot study, included 270 children aged 18–42 months. Mothers filled a questionnaire including questions about family socioeconomic background, perinatal history, and family history. Physical examination and growth assessment of children were performed. Developmental assessment of cognitive, language and motor skills was performed using the Bayley III scales and compared the American norm scores with the Egyptian mean scores. Results The mean cognitive, language and motor composite scores were 92.5+18.5, 91.76+ 15.6, and 95.67+18.9 respectively. All were lower than the American mean (100+ 15) with highly significant differences. About one-fourth of the enrolled Egyptian children had below-average composite scores according to the US cutoff point. The ranks of Egyptian children on the American versus the Egyptian percentile curves were significantly different. Conclusion Mean values of all assessed developmental domains of Egyptian children are within the norm-referenced average of Bayley III, but lower than the recorded American mean. Assessing Egyptian children according to the American norms may result in overestimating developmental delay. This pilot study raised the question about using different cutoff points suitable for the developmental trajectory of Egyptian children. Answering this question needs further studies on Bayley-III after cultural adaptation and standardization, using a larger, more diverse, and representative sample of the Egyptian population.

1187. Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Children with Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) Infection: Does Antiviral Treatment Matter?

Background cCMV infection is a major contributor to childhood neurologic and cognitive disabilities including sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Neonatal treatment with ganciclovir/valganciclovir improves hearing outcomes, but its impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes remains an important knowledge gap. We describe the neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with cCMV infection and evaluate the effect of neonatal antiviral therapy on outcomes. Methods Since 2013, infants with cCMV infection referred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s NEO-ID Clinic have had a complete evaluation at diagnosis as well as follow-up neurodevelopmental assessments. Pertinent demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiographic, and follow-up data were obtained and managed using REDCap. Neurodevelopmental assessments were performed using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID) III/IV (cognitive, language, motor domains) at ~ 24 months of age. The Gross Motor Function Classification System was used to classify functional motor impairment. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were compared by receipt of antiviral therapy in early infancy. Results 95 infants (mean ± SD; gestational age 35 ± 5 wk, birth weight 2121 ± 948 g; Table 1) with cCMV infection had follow-up neurodevelopmental assessments. 62% had central nervous system involvement, 37% had SNHL, 23% developed cerebral palsy (CP), and 6% were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The majority had normal BSID scores (≥ 85) in cognitive and motor domains (65% and 54%, respectively) while 48% had normal scores in the language domain. 35% had severe impairment (< 70) in ≥ 1 domain (Table 2). 9 children had clinically inapparent cCMV infection; 2 (22%) had abnormalities on BSID testing (1, cognitive score: 80; 1, cognitive, language, and motor scores: 65, 68, 73, respectively). 11 (12%) children, including 6 who received antiviral therapy, had severe neurodevelopmental impairment, with CP and severe (< 70) BSID scores in both the cognitive and motor domains. Table 1. Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of 95 Children with Congenital CMV Infection by Receipt of Antiviral Treatment Table 2. Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Based on Testing with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID) III/IV Conclusion A substantial proportion of children with cCMV infection had moderate (29%) or severe (33%) neurodevelopmental impairment, CP, or autism spectrum disorder, irrespective of antiviral treatment. Urgency exists for antenatal preventive strategies and vaccine development. Disclosures Asuncion Mejias, MD, PhD, MsCS, Janssen (Grant/Research Support, Advisor or Review Panel member)Merck (Grant/Research Support, Advisor or Review Panel member)Roche (Advisor or Review Panel member)Sanofi (Advisor or Review Panel member)

Head Growth and Neurodevelopment of Preterm Infants with Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Spontaneous Intestinal Perforation

Spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) and surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) are intestinal conditions requiring surgical intervention in preterm infants. We aimed to compare the head growth and neurodevelopment of preterm infants with SIP and surgical NEC. A retrospective single-center study was performed in preterm infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestation and who had undergone surgery for NEC or SIP. Data from the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development 3rd Edition (Bayley-III) at 24 months of corrected age (CA) and the Korean Ages and Stages Questionnaire (K-ASQ) or Korean Developmental Screening Test (K-DST) at 36 months were collected. Among 82 eligible infants, 60 infants had surgical NEC, and 22 infants were diagnosed with SIP. Head growth was faster until CA 4 months in preterm infants with SIP than in those with surgical NEC. At 36 months, abnormal findings in the K-ASQ or K-DST were more prevalent in the NEC group than in the SIP group in the gross motor (48.2% vs. 0%, p = 0.015), fine motor (40.7% vs. 0%, p = 0.037), cognitive (55.6% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.047), and social domains (44.4% vs. 0%, p = 0.032). More studies evaluating the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants with surgical NEC and SIP are required.

Preterm newborn adaptive responses to daily nursing, during NICU stay, associate with the neurodevelopment, two years later

Objective: To evaluate if adaptive responses of very preterm newborns to NICU daily nursing, specifically bathing and weighing procedures, are associated with their neurodevelopment two years later. Study design: Twenty-six very preterm newborns, with a gestational age < 32 weeks, were enrolled. Infants' adaptive responses to daily nursing were evaluated, at 30-32-35 postmenstrual age (PMA) weeks, by an observational sheet. Neurodevelopment was assessed, at 24 months of corrected age, by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition. Autonomic, motor, and self-regulatory responses to NICU nursing were analyzed, by Spearman's correlation coefficient and multivariate linear regression, with Bayley’s cognitive, language, and motor scales. Results: Significant (P < 0.05) positive correlations of self-regulatory and autonomic responses to nursing with all Bailey’s scales were found at 30- and 32-weeks PMA. At 35 weeks PMA, only self-regulatory responses had significant positive correlations with all Bailey’s scales. When adjusted for birth weight and sex, the significant associations were confirmed only at 30- and 32-weeks PMA. Conclusion: Very preterm newborn adaptive responses to NICU daily nursing reveal to be positively related to forthcoming neurodevelopment two years later, as early as the 30th week PMA. Helping preterm babies to adapt to daily NICU nursing may promote their future neurobeahaviour.

Heterogeneous development of children with Congenital Zika Syndrome-associated microcephaly

Objective To describe the neurological and neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) associated microcephaly beyond 2 years of age. Method We followed children with CZS-associated microcephaly in an outpatient clinic in Salvador, Brazil. Neurological and neurodevelopmental assessments were performed using the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Neurodevelopment (Bayley-III) respectively. Results Of the 42 children included, 19 were male (45.2%); median (interquartile range) age at neurological evaluation was 28 (25–32) months, and 36 (85.7%) had severe microcephaly. HINE and Bayley-III results were completed for 35/42 (83.3%) and 33/42 (78.5%) children respectively. Bayley-III identified a severe developmental delay in 32/33 (97.0%) children while 1/33 (3.0%) had only a mild delay. In the multivariable analysis, we found that Bayley-III and HINE scores were correlated. Better HINE scores were associated with higher Bayley-III cognitive raw scores (β = 0.29; CI 95% = 0.02–0.57) and motor raw scores (β = 0.43; CI 95% = 0.04–0.82) after adjusting for head circumference, prematurity, and age at neurodevelopmental evaluation. Furthermore, we found that greater head circumference at follow up was associated with higher cognitive (β = 1.27; CI 95% = 0.01–2.53) and motor raw scores (β = 2.03; CI 95% = 0.25–3.81). Conclusion Children with CZS-associated microcephaly demonstrate severe neurodevelopmental delays and slower growth rates than their peers over time. Still, they have remarkably heterogeneous neurodevelopmental profiles according to neurological exam scores which correlate with their long-term outcomes. We found that HINE scores effectively captured the heterogeneity of neurological capabilities among these children and could be predictive of cognitive and motor development progress.

A Pilot Evaluation of the Possible Association of Metronidazole With Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Premature Neonates

OBJECTIVE Metronidazole is recommended as a first-line treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in neonates. Metronidazole-associated neurotoxicity has been reported, but long-term neurodevelopmental effects in neonates have not been explored. The primary objective was to evaluate the relationship of cumulative metronidazole dose with each Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) composite score in neonates with NEC. Secondary objectives included comparison of seizure rates, mean Bayley-III scores, and neurodevelopmental impairment defined as 2 of 3 Bayley-III composite scores ≤ 79 or 1 score ≤ 70 between the metronidazole exposed and non-exposed groups METHODS This multisite, retrospective cohort study compared infants with a birth weight &lt; 1500 grams between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2016, who developed stage 2 or greater NEC or spontaneous intestinal perforation and were followed up at a developmental clinic visit at approximately 1 year of age. Patients were excluded if admitted &gt;72 hours of life, had congenital neurodevelopmental anomalies, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, grade III or IV intraventricular hemorrhage, or seizures prior to treatment of NEC. Included patients were stratified into 2 groups based on metronidazole exposure versus no metronidazole. Data were assessed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, using SAS 9.4. RESULTS Forty-one patients were included. Seven patients received metronidazole and 34 patients were in the non-metronidazole group. The only statistical difference noted between groups was for gestational age, with the non-exposed group being more premature. There was no statistical difference in Bayley-III scores, seizure rates, or neurodevelopmental impairment between groups. CONCLUSION No differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes were found between those with and without metronidazole exposure. Further studies are needed to validate our results.

Isolated CHDs and neurodevelopmental follow-up using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire at 18 and 36 months

Objectives: To compare early neurocognitive development in children born with and without isolated CHD using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (3rd edition) and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (3rd edition). Methods: Recruitment took place before birth. Women expecting fetuses with and without CHD causing disturbances in the flow of oxygenated blood to the fetal brain were included in a prospective cohort study comprising fetal MRI (previously published) and neurodevelopmental follow-up. We now present the 18- and 36-month neurodevelopmental follow-up using the Bayley Scales according to age and the 6-month-above-age Ages and Stages Questionnaire in 15 children with and 27 children without CHD. Results: Children with CHD had, compared with the children without CHD, an increased risk of scoring ≤ 100 in the Bayley Scales cognition category at 18 and 36 -months; relative risk 1.7 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0–2.8) and 3.1 (CI: 1.2–7.5), respectively. They also achieved lower scores in the 6-month-above-age Ages and Stages Questionnaires (24 and 42 months) communication; mean z-score difference −0.72 (CI: −1.4; −0.1) and −1.06 (CI: −1.8; −0.3) and gross motor; mean z-score difference: −0.87 (CI: −1.7; −0.1) and −1.22 (CI: −2.4; −0.02) categories. Conclusions: The children with CHD achieved lower scores in the Bayley Scales cognition category and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire communication and gross motor categories possibly indicative of early neurodevelopmental deficiencies. We recommend early screening and monitoring for neurodevelopmental delays in children with CHD in order to improve further neurodevelopment and educational achievements.

Neonatal Hyperglycemia Related to Parenteral Nutrition Affects Long-Term Neurodevelopment in Preterm Newborn: A Prospective Cohort Study

(1) Background: Recent evidence reported a reduced tolerance of macronutrient parenteral intakes in subjects in critically ill conditions. We designed a prospective cohort study to evaluate the effects of hyperglycemia (HG) related to parenteral nutrition (PN) on neurodevelopment (NDV) in survived preterm newborns. (2) Methods: Enrolled newborns with gestational age < 32 weeks or birth weight < 1500 g, were divided in two cohorts: (A) exposed to moderate or severe HG (glucose blood level > 180 mg/dL) in the first week of life; (B) not exposed to HG. We considered as the primary outcome the rate of preterm newborns survived without NDV delay at 24 months of life, evaluated with Bayley Scales of Infants Development III edition. (3) Results: We analyzed 108 (A 32 vs. B 76) at 24 months of life. Newborns in cohort A showed a higher rate of cognitive and motor delay (A 44% vs. B 22 %, p = 0.024; A 38% vs. B 8%, p < 0.001). When adjusting for background characteristics, HG remained a risk factor for motor delay. (4) Conclusions: High nutritional intakes through PN soon after birth increase the risk of HG. The consequences of this severe metabolic complication affect long-term NDV and survival in preterm newborns.