Preterm and low birth weight as risk factors for infant delayed development

Abstract

Background In developed countries, birth weight of less than 1,500 g contributes in infant delayed development. It might be different in developing countries. Objective This study aimed to determine whether preterm infants with birth weight of 1,500 to 2,499 g are risk factors for delayed development at 7-10 months of age. Methods We analyzed singleton infants at 7-10 months of corrected age, born with birth weight of 1,500 to 2,499 grams, preterm-appropriate for gestational age (or LBW group), and at 7-10 months of chronological age, born with birth weight >2,500 g-term-appropriate for gestational (non-LBW group) in a hospital- based retrospective cohort study. Data were taken from medical records in Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, from September 2003 to May 2004. We excluded infants with major congenital anomalies, hyaline membrane disease, assisted ventilation, or exchange transfusion. Multiple regression logistic analysis was performed for data analysis. Results The percentage of delayed development in LBW group was higher than in non-LBW group (17.1% vs. 1.6%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that low birth weight was a risk factor for delayed development (RR=5.13, 95%Cl 1.55;16.96, P=0.007). Other biological risk factors for delayed development are hyperbilirubinemia (RR=3.32, 95%Cl 1.29;8.54, P=0.013) and sepsis (RR=2.74, 95%Cl 1.15;6.52, P=0.023). Conclusions Preterm-appropriate for gestational age with birth weight of 1,500 to 2,499 g are risk factors for infant delayed development after being adjusted to other biological risk factors.

Keywords

• Preterm
• low birth weight
• appropriate for gestational age
• delayed development
• Bayley Infant Neurodevelopment of Screener (BINS)