1257 The Neurodevelopmental Assessment of Very Low Birth Weight Infants at 4–6 Years of Age

The major and minor neurodevelopmental morbidities among premature infants become an important issue because of the increase in the number of surviving premature newborns. The Aim of this study was to examine the cognitive, neuromotor, emotional and behavioral outcomes of the premature newborns at 4–6 years of age born with very low birth weight and to investigate the relationship between neuromotor and neurocognitive development. The neuromotor status of 68 children were evaluated according to Touwen neurological examination, 64 children were assessed using Stanford-Binet and Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, 65 children using Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale. Three cases were already diagnosed and followed as CP. According to Touwen examination 28 (%41.2) children were normal, 35 (%51.5) had simple minor neurological dysfunction (MND), 2 (%2.9) had complex MND. The mean IQ score was 90.1±10.9. The rate of hyperactivity, behavioral problems and emotional problems were in order %60, %33.8 and %53.8. The children were diagnosed as having a delay of 14.9±10.6 month for conducting, 10.6±8.6 month for daily activities, 10.7±11.5 month for social competence and a delay of 6.3±10.2 month for motor behavior. The cognitive and neuropsychological results of the 35 children with MND and 28 children with normal neuromotor status were compared. The children with MND had significanly lower mean IQ score, more delay for motor behavior and they were more hyperactive. Majority of the children who were considered as normal had cognitive impairment, language, behavior/emotional and neuromotor problems in various degrees.