Growth and neurodevelopment in low birth weight versus normal birth weight infants from birth to 24 months, born in an obstetric emergency hospital in Haiti, a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background Low birthweight (LBW) infants are at higher risk of mortality and morbidity (growth, chronic disease and neurological problems) during their life. Due to the high incidence of (pre-) eclampsia in Haiti, LBW infants are common. We assessed the anthropometric growth (weight and length) and neurodevelopmental delay in LBW and normal birthweight (NBW) infants born at an obstetric emergency hospital in Port au Prince, Haiti, between 2014 and 2017. Methods Infants were followed at discharge and 3, 6, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 months of corrected gestational age. At each visit they underwent a physical checkup (weight, length, physical abnormalities, identification of morbidities). At 6, 12, 18 and 24 months they underwent a neurodevelopmental assessment using the Bayley Scale III (motor, cognitive and communication skills). We modelled the trajectories between birth and 24 months of age of NBW compared to LBW infants for weight, length, and raw scores for Bayley III assessments using mixed linear models. Results In total 500 LBW and 210 NBW infants were recruited of which 333 (46.7%) were followed up for 24 months (127 NBW; 60.5% and 206 LBW; 41.2%) and 150 died (LBW = 137 and NBW = 13). LBW and NBW babies gained a mean 15.8 g and 11.4 g per kg of weight from discharge per day respectively. The speed of weight gain decreased rapidly after 3 months in both groups. Both groups grow rapidly up to 6 months of age. LBW grew more than the NBW group during this period (22.8 cm vs. 21.1 cm). Both groups had WHZ scores <− 2 up to 15 months. At 24 months NBW babies scored significantly higher on the Bayley scales for gross motor, cognitive and receptive and expressive communication skills. There was no difference between the groups for fine motor skills. Conclusion LBW babies that survive neonatal care in urban Haiti and live up to 24 months of age, perform similar to their NBW for weight, length and fine motor skills. LBW babies are delayed in gross motor, cognitive and communication skills development. Further research on the clinical significance of these findings and long term implications of this neurodevelopmental delay is needed.

Morbidity profile and short-term outcomes of low birth weight neonates delivered in a tertiary care centre: a prospective observational study

“…The speed of weight gain decreases rapidly after 3 months and then grow rapidly up to 6 months of age. 19 In our study this could not be concluded because of a short follow up span of 3 months. In multiple logistic regression analysis (Table 4), MAS, RDS, shock, AOP and positive CRP were found to be the independent risk factors contributing to neonatal mortality, which are similar with other studies like in Patel et al from India and Lin et al study from China.…”

Studi Kualitatif : Identifikasi Kebutuhan Perawatan Bayi BBLR di Rumah Dengan Pendekatan Family Centered Maternity Care

“…Bayi berat lahir sangat rendah (BBLR) berisiko tinggi mengalami infeksi selama periode antenatal, prenatal, dan postnatal. Pencegahan, diagnosis yang tepat, dan pengobatan akan menurunkan angka morbiditas dan mortalitas yang tinggi terkait dengan sepsis pada bayi BBLR (Hilaire et al, 2021). Ada kebutuhan untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan tentang faktor risiko dan mengatasi penyimpangan dalam pengenalan dan perawatan Bayi BBLR.…”

The effect of a planned lactation education program on the mother’s breastfeeding practice and weight gain in low birth weight infants: a randomized clinical trial study

“…In this regard, healthcare workers, i.e., nurses, have an essential role in encouraging mothers to initiate and accomplish breastfeeding [ 12 ]. Meanwhile, healthcare workers should frequently assess the LBW infants’ weight and record their weight gain because of the significant relationship between weight gain and subsequent health outcomes of LBW [ 17 , 18 ]. Moreover, healthcare workers should provide continued care and apply education programs to help average infant growth and development [ 17 ].…”