Analysis of high-risk factors and effect of early intervention on preterm infant neurodevelopment

Objective: This study aims to determine the influence of high-risk factors and the effect of early intervention on abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants with certain risk factors. Methods: The outcome of neurodevelopment was confirmed by Gesell scores. Associations between high-risk factors and neurodevelopmental outcome were examined by chi-square test and logistic-regression analysis. The effect of early intervention on the neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm infants with certain risk factors was determined by two independent sample t-tests. A P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: We found that both maternal age (OR: 25.477; 95% CI: 4.870-133.290; P<0.001) and education level (OR: 0.287; 95% CI: 0.120-0.686; P=0.005) were significant prenatal risk factors for abnormal neurological outcomes. Significant perinatal risk factors that were identified included gestational diabetes (OR: 0.127; 95% CI: 0.022-0.752; P=0.023), preeclampsia (OR: 54.405; 95% CI: 12.442-237.888; P<0.001) and meconium (OR: 38.260; 95% CI: 10.935-133. 864; P<0.001). Significant postnatal risk factors included gestational age (OR: 9.170; 95% CI: 2.454-34.265; P=0.001), birth weight (OR: 20.960; 95% CI: 4.285-102.519; P<0.001) and multiple birth (OR: 114.853; 95% CI: 13.209-998.612; P<0.001). The DQ value in the early intervention group was significantly higher than in the non-early intervention group for all five aspects of the Gesell score (P<0.05). Conclusions: Maternal age and educational level, gestational diabetes preeclampsia, meconium, gestational age, birth weight and multiple births are risk factors for abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes among preterm infants. A positive effect of early intervention was identified on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants with certain risk factors.