Prognostic value of a scorable neurological examination from 3 to 12 months post-term age in very preterm infants: A longitudinal study

Aims and study design: The Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination proved effective in predictinglocomotor function in very preterm infants after 9 months of age.We performed the examination in a cohortof 103 very preterm infants (gestational age below 32 weeks) as early as 3 months' post-term age, andlongitudinally at 6, 9 and 12 months. Our aim was to establish the frequency distribution of the optimalityscores at each age period, to explore the predictive value of the examination from 3 months onwards as todevelopmental outcome and locomotor function at 2 years, and to explore its longitudinal consistency.Results: The results showed that this standardized neurological examination can be performed in preterminfantsas early as 3 months' post-term age to predict motor outcome at 2 years, and that its high predictive value isconsistent across the first year of life due to an effective combination of different items for each age period.Conclusions:We confirm the high predictive value of this neurological examination in very preterm infants after9 months and extend it to the assessments performed as early as 3 months post-term. This is of great relevance asin very preterm infants early prediction of motor function is essential for a prompt planning of therapeuticinterventions.