Developmental outcomes of small infants at a South African high-risk follow-up clinic : a short-term longitudinal study

Abstract

Small, preterm infants face more developmental risks than their full-term peers, necessitating early intervention and long-term monitoring. The study examined developmental and hearing outcomes of small infants at a high-risk clinic in a low-income setting, using developmental and hearing screening tools (PEDS tools and ABR MB11), and a developmental assessment (Vineland-3) at six- and 12-months corrected age (T1 and T2). All the participants underwent a hearing screening. Four participants (14.3%, n=4/28) failed the hearing screening test twice, at T1 and T2, and were referred for a diagnostic hearing evaluation. Concerns from the developmental screening at T1 were seen in communication, gross motor and social-emotional skills, where eight (28.5%) participants obtained a refer result. Concerns remained present across T1 and T2 in the PEDS screening tools. Fine motor skills were the highlighted domain of concern at T2 in the developmental screening. An improvement in developmental outcomes was noted when comparing T1 and T2 outcomes on the developmental assessment tool, the Vineland-3. At T1, the domains of concern were daily living skills (M=104.12; SD=38.99) and motor skills (M=88.82; SD=45.26). At T2, all the participants presented with age-appropriate developmental scores across domains. The findings emphasise the importance of holistic developmental monitoring and early intervention from birth and during follow-up opportunities. This will assist in identifying and addressing delays promptly in this vulnerable population, consider the continuum of care received, and enhance the developmental literacy of caregivers. This research contributes valuable insights for caregivers, healthcare policy developers, and early intervention practices, underlining the critical need for ongoing support for small infants from an early age.