Abstract
The neurological effects of prematurity are still poorly understood, in part due to failure to adequately control for severity of illness. We examined with the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale the neurobehavioral competence of 15 infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), 13 infants with respiratory distress syridrome (RDS), and 8 well premature infants (WP), matched except for severity of illness. Exams occurred at term and only if infants were medically 5table. Supplemental oxygen, if needed, was delivered by nasal cannula. Significant group differences occurred in the area of interaction and alertness (p. < .05). Performance was best for the WP group and worst for the BPD group. In the BPD group significant correlations with subscales measuring physiologic stability occurred with obstetrical complications (r=-.60, p <.02), neonatal complications (r=-.72, p <.003), gestational age (r=-.64, p < .01), birthweight (r=-.69, p < .005), and Apgar1(r=.60,p <.03). Neurobehavior in the RDS infants related only weakly to medical factors and not at all in the WP group. Our data suggest that perinatal events influence neurobehavioral competence but only in more severely involved infants. This may be due to neurological insult or ongoing illness. Degree of prematurity does not directly affect behavior as infants in the 3 groups were equivalent in this regard. Rather, degree of prematurity is influential because of the increased likelihood of medical complications.
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Myers, B., Markowitz, P., Jarvis, P. et al. 53 EFFECTS OF ILLNESS ON THE NEUROBEHAVIORAL COMPETENCE OF PREMATURE INFANTS. Pediatr Res 19, 119 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00083
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00083