MD. JAVED IQBAL1, MD. MIZANUR RAHMAN2, SHAHEEN AKHTER3
Abstract
Background: Preterm brain is prone to hypoxia and other insults that result in
psychomotor delay. Early intervention in the form of developmental therapy in preterm
babies reduces the subsequent psychomotor delay. A study was conducted to evaluate
the psychomotor developmental outcome of preterm infant who got developmental
therapy.
Objective: To evaluate the psychomotor developmental outcome of preterm infant
who will be getting developmental therapy.
Methods: It was a quasi experimental study (single group pretest/post test design). It
was carried out among the preterm babies who attended within 6-12 weeks of age for
developmental assessment at the Centre for Neuro Development & Autism in Children
(CNAC) Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) during the period of
July 2010 to September 2011. Forty five preterm infants were assessed for their motor,
mental & behavior score by Bayley Scale of Infant Development II, (BSID) (1993)
Bengali version). All of them got Developmental therapy regularly as per demonstration
in both home and Hospital. Their base line assessment was done at 6-12 weeks of age
and reassessed at 3 months and 6 months after developmental therapy.
Results: Thirty seven (82.2%) infants have completed the two follow up session. At 6
months of developmental therapy 54.1% had motor skill improvement, 40.5% had
mental skill improvement and 48.6% had behavior skill improvement. Socio economic
status and illness in neonatal period had some influence on developmental out come.
Conclusion: Developmental Therapy improved the psychomotor development in
preterm infant.
Key Words: Developmental Therapy, Psychomotor Development, Preterm infant.