Predictors influencing neurodevelopment during the infancy of term infants

Xia Yi Zhang^1,2Bo Hu^1,2*Peng zhi Jin^1,2Qing qing Wang^1,2Ji yu Nie¹

• ¹Child Health Care，Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
• ²Children’s Hospital Affiliated of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China

Objectives: To determine the influencing factors of neurodevelopment of term infants (37-41 6/7 weeks) aged less than 1 year. Study design: A total of 327 term infants aged 4 to 12 months who visited the outpatient department of Child Health Care at the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from December 2023 to June 2024 were included. The Developmental Behavior Assessment Scale for Children Aged (0-6) years was used to assess the neurodevelopment of infants who underwent routine physical examination. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses of the influencing factors on neurodevelopment were conducted. Results: Greater gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) were independent predictors of a higher Total Development Quotient score (TDQ) (t = 2.191, 2.462 respectively; both p < 0.05). Overweight or trend towards overweight of infants were predictors of a low TDQ score (t = -2.663, p = 0.008). Increased GA and maternal folic acid supplementation prior to pregnancy were independently associated with a higher gross motor score (t = 2.377, -2.128 respectively; both p < 0.05). Conversely, infant overweight status or a trend towards overweight were associated with a lower gross motor score (t = -2.466, p = 0.014). Greater GA and older age were independent predictors of a higher fine motor score (t = 2.155, 4.502 respectively; both p < 0.05). Longer days of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission during the neonatal period was predictor of a lower fine motor score (t = -3.528, p < 0.001). Greater GA was an independent predictor of a higher adaptability score (t = 3.245, p < 0.001). older age was a predictor of a lower adaptability score (t = -4.113, p < 0.001). Maternal junior college or above was an independent predictor of a higher language score (t = 2.350, p = 0.019). Older age and gestational hypertension were predictors of a lower language score (t = -5.553, -2.604 respectively; both p <0.05). Conclusion: GA, BW, BMI, days of NICU admission, prenatal folic acid supplementation of mothers, gestational hypertension, and maternal educational level were influencing factors in the neurodevelopment of infants aged 4 to 12 months.