Neurodevelopmental Delay and Associated Factors among Preterm Infants Aged 6 to 24 months Adjusted Gestation Age in Two Urban Hospitals in Uganda
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Introduction
Neurodevelopmental delay has been reported among preterm infants who survive beyond the neonatal period. However, there is paucity of data regarding neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants in Africa, including Uganda.
Objectives
This study aimed at determining the prevalence and factors associated with neurodevelopment delay (NDD) in preterm infants aged 6 to 24 months of adjusted gestation age.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 206 preterm infants, aged between 6 and 24 months of adjusted gestation age in the preterm follow up clinics at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya and Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital in Kampala-Uganda from 1 st January 2021 to 1 st January 2022.
Results
The prevalence of NDD was 13.6% (28/206), with social delay comprising 12.1% (25/206), fine motor delay 11.7% (24/206), language delay 10.7% (22/206) and gross motor delay 7.8% (16/206). Factors associated with NDD included microcephaly [aPR=6.2, CI: 2.6-33.5, P=0.0002], severe acute malnutrition (SAM) [aPR=4.6, CI: 1.87-12.56, P=0.021], incomplete immunization [aPR=2.8, CI: 1.23-4.76, P=0.013], neonatal sepsis [aPR=3.8, CI: 1.1-9.3, P=0.026], neonatal hypoglycemia [aPR=6.2, CI: 1.8-16.4, P=0.002], lack of caretaker social support [aPR=8.3, CI: 2.43-37.9, P=0.002] and families with more than 5 children [aPR=6.8, CI: 2.24-22.7, P=0.002]
Conclusions
The 13.6% prevalence of NDD is noteworthy, with the social and fine motor domains affected most. Modifiable factors like malnutrition, lack of caretaker social support and incomplete immunization should be screened and addressed to reduce NDD among preterm infants in Uganda.
