CATAMNESIS OBSERVATION OF PREMATURE INFANTS WITH HYPOXIC-ISCHEMIC BRAIN DAMAGE: CLINICAL RESULTS

Preterm infants constitute a particularly vulnerable population for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) substantially elevates the risk of cognitive impairment, motor dysfunction, cerebral palsy, sensory deficits, and behavioral disorders. The 12-month corrected age represents a critical window for psychomotor development assessment, coinciding with active myelination completion and establishment of fundamental cognitive functions. Consequently, standardized developmental assessment tools such as the Griffiths Mental Development Scales gain particular relevance for evaluating children with HIBI history. Objective. This study analyzes long-term neurological sequelae of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in preterm infants at 12 months corrected age. Materials and Methods. The cohort comprised 60 preterm infants born before 34 weeks gestation. At 12 months corrected age, participants underwent comprehensive clinical-neurological evaluation incorporating Griffiths Scales assessment. Statistical analysis utilized Microsoft Excel for Windows 2011 and JASP 0.19.3, employing descriptive and inferential statistical methods per current methodological standards. Results. Follow-up assessments were completed for 47 infants (78.33%) at 12 months corrected age. Psychomotor delay was identified in 63.8% of participants. Severe HIBI cases demonstrated significantly lower Griffiths scores (81.4 ± 40.9) versus mild HIBI (125.7 ± 22.7, p < 0.001). The severe HIBI group exhibited poorer performance across multiple domains including social adaptation, language, visual function, play skills, and motor abilities, alongside increased prevalence of motor impairments, postural-motor delays, and ophthalmologic abnormalities. Neurosonography and MRI revealed more frequent structural anomalies in severe HIBI cases, including ventriculomegaly, gliotic changes, and diminished white matter volume. Conclusions. Moderate-to-severe hypoxic-ischemic brain injury shows significant association with an increased risk of psychomotor delay in preterm infants at 12 months corrected age. Implementation of systematic developmental surveillance incorporating Griffiths Scales assessment, combined with clinical history and neuroimaging data, is recommended to enhance early diagnosis, monitoring, and rehabilitation for high-risk infants.