Evaluation of motor and cognitive milestones in preterm and full term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia

Abstract EN

Background: Hyperbilirubinemia is the most common cause of neonatal admission during first week of life, so it should be considered to follow up its hazards on development.

Objective: To detect the possible occurrence of motor & mental delay in infants as a complication of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Subjects and method: A prospective longitudinal case control study was done by using Bailey scale III to evaluate and follow up motor & mental developmental parameters in 2 groups, cases group (group I) which is subdivided into group (la) that includes 55 jaundiced full- term neonates and group (lb) that represent 54 jaundiced preterm neonates, these 109 (preterm & full- term) jaundiced neonates were admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, New Cairo Hospital, and control group (group II) which includes 52 non jaundiced full term neonates attending Health Center of The Ministry of Health in New Cairo.

Results: In the present study cases had lower Bailey III mental assessment scores compared to controls as there was a statistically significant difference between both groups, as cases group had a significant negative correlation between Total Serum Bilirubin level and Bailey scale scores for mental assessment at 2an,4th, 6th, 9th 12th months was proved.

Despite the previous results, there was no statistically significant difference between both groups as regard mental assessment at the age of 18 months.

The study also showed a significant difference between both groups (cases & control), as regard a row scores of motor scales of Bailey, as cases group achieved lower scores in motor assessment in comparison to control group.

There is a statistically significant negative correlation between Total Serum Bilirubin and Bailey scores for motor assessment at 2an,4th, 6th, 9th 12th & 18th Months.

These findings depicted that there was a significant relationship between neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and further developmental delays (motor and mental) in infancy (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Neonatal jaundice should be considered and followed up for motor and mental skills during infancy, as identification of early developmental delay can be effective in preventing susceptible developmental problems later on through interventional programs.