Physiotherapy - Research Publications
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ItemNo Preview AvailableTrends in survival, perinatal morbidities and two-year neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely low-birthweight infants over four decades(WILEY, 2022-09)BACKGROUND: Although outcomes for infants born extremely low birthweight (ELBW; <1000 g birthweight) have improved over time, it is important to document survival and morbidity changes following the advent of modern neonatal intensive care in the 1990s. OBJECTIVE: To describe trends in survival, perinatal outcomes and neurodevelopment to 2 years' corrected age over time across six discrete geographic cohorts born ELBW between 1979 and 2017. METHODS: Analysis of data from discrete population-based prospective cohort studies of all live births free of lethal anomalies with birthweight 500-999 g in the state of Victoria, Australia, over 6 eras: 1979-80, 1985-87, 1991-92, 1997, 2005 and 2016-17. Perinatal data collected included survival, duration and type of respiratory support, neonatal morbidities and two-year neurodevelopmental outcomes. RESULTS: More ELBW live births were inborn (born in a maternity hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit) over time (1979-80, 70%; 2016-17, 84%), and more were offered active care (1979-80, 58%; 2016-17, 90%). Survival to 2 years rose substantially, from 25% in 1979-80 to 80% in 2016-17. In survivors, rates of any assisted ventilation rose from 75% in 1979-80 to 99% in 2016-17. Cystic periventricular leukomalacia, severe retinopathy of prematurity and blindness improved across eras. Two-year data were available for 95% (1054/1109) of survivors. Rates of cerebral palsy, deafness and major neurodevelopmental disability changed little over time. The annual numbers with major neurodevelopmental disability increased from 12.5 in 1979-80 to 30 in 2016-17, but annual numbers free of major disability increased much more, from 31 in 1979-80 to 147 in 2016-17. CONCLUSIONS: Active care and survival rates in ELBW children have increased dramatically since 1979 without large changes in neonatal morbidities. The numbers of survivors free of major neurodevelopmental disability have increased more over time than those with major disability.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableSchool Readiness in Children Born <30 Weeks' Gestation at Risk for Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Prospective Cohort Study(LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS, 2022-06)OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether school readiness differs between children born <30 weeks' gestation who are classified as at risk for developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and those who are not. METHODS: This study was a prospective cohort study of children born <30 weeks' gestation. Children were classified as at risk for DCD at a corrected age of 4 to 5 years if they scored <16th centile on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition (MABC-2), had a full scale IQ score of ≥80 on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV), and had no cerebral palsy. Children were assessed on 4 school readiness domains: (1) health/physical development [Physical Health domain of Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory Computer Adaptive Test, and Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire], (2) social-emotional development (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and PedsQL psychosocial domains), (3) cognitive skills/general knowledge (WPPSI-IV), and (4) language skills (WPPSI-IV). RESULTS: Of 123 children assessed, 16 were ineligible (IQ < 80 or cerebral palsy: n = 15; incomplete MABC-2: n = 1); 28 of 107 (26%) eligible children were at risk for DCD. Children at risk for DCD had poorer performance on all school readiness domains, with group differences of more than 0.4 SD in health/physical development, social-emotional development, and language skills and up to 0.8 SD for cognitive skills/general knowledge compared with those not at risk of DCD. CONCLUSION: Being at risk for DCD in children born <30 weeks' gestation is associated with challenges in multiple school readiness domains, not only the health/physical domain.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableParenting and Neurobehavioral Outcomes in Children Born Moderate-to-Late Preterm and at Term(MOSBY-ELSEVIER, 2022-02-01)Objectives To compare the parenting environment and the relationships between parenting behaviors and concurrent child neurobehavioral outcomes at 2 years of corrected age between children born moderate-to-late preterm (MLP; 32-36 weeks of gestation) and at term (≥37 weeks of gestation). Study design Participants were 129 children born MLP and 110 children born at term and their mothers. Mothers’ parenting behaviors (sensitivity, structuring, nonintrusiveness, nonhostility) were assessed at 2 years of corrected age using the Emotional Availability Scales. Child cognitive and language development were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, and social–emotional competence using the Infant Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment. Results Mothers of children born MLP and at term displayed similar parenting behaviors overall, with slightly lower nonintrusiveness in mothers of children born MLP (adjusted mean difference −0.32 [–0.60, −0.04]; P = .03). In both groups of children, greater maternal sensitivity was associated with better cognitive development (P < .001 MLP; P = .02 term), increased maternal structuring was associated with better social–emotional competence (P = .02 MLP; P = .03 term), and higher maternal nonintrusiveness was associated with better cognitive, language, and social-emotional outcomes (all P < .04). Greater maternal sensitivity and structuring were associated with better language development in children born MLP but not in children born at term. Conclusions Parenting behaviors are important for neurobehavioral outcomes in children born MLP and at term. Language development may be more strongly influenced by select parenting behaviors in children born MLP compared with children born at term.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableRelationships between early postnatal cranial ultrasonography linear measures and neurobehaviour at term-equivalent age in infants born <30 weeks' gestational age(ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD, 2022-01)BACKGROUND: The relationship between early postnatal brain development and neurobehaviour at term-equivalent age (TEA) remains uncertain. AIM: We aimed to explore relationships between early postnatal cranial ultrasonography (cUS) linear measures of brain size and brain growth with neurobehaviour at TEA in infants born <30 weeks' gestational age (GA). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. SUBJECTS: 137 infants born <30 weeks' GA without major brain injury on neonatal cUS. OUTCOME MEASURES: Neurobehaviour at TEA assessed using the General Movements Assessment (GMA) and Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE). RESULTS: The GMA was administered in 115/137 (84%) infants; 80 (70%) presented with abnormal general movements (GMs) (79 poor repertoire, 1 cramped synchronised). The HNNE was assessed in 106/137 (77%) infants; 52 (49%) had a suboptimal total score. With respect to brain size, larger measures of the corpus callosum length (CCL) and right anterior horn width (AHW) at 1-month were related to lower risk of abnormal GMs, and larger measures of the biparietal diameter at 1-week and 2-months were related to lower risk of a suboptimal HNNE. As for brain growth, increases of the CCL and transcerebellar diameter between birth and 1-month, and left and right AHWs between 1- and 2-months, were related to lower risk of abnormal GMs. CONCLUSION: Early postnatal brain size and brain growth were related to neurobehaviour at TEA in infants born <30 weeks' GA. This study provides preliminary evidence for the prognostic utility of early postnatal cUS linear measures as potential markers of neurodevelopment in later childhood.
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ItemTranslating antenatal magnesium sulphate neuroprotection for infants born <28 weeks' gestation into practice: A geographical cohort study(WILEY, 2021-08)BACKGROUND: Magnesium sulphate was introduced for fetal neuroprotection in Australia in 2010. The aim of this study was to determine how often antenatal magnesium sulphate is used currently and its association with cerebral palsy in children born <28 weeks' gestation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants comprised all survivors born <28 weeks' gestational age in the state of Victoria in 2016-17, and earlier, in 1991-92, 1997, 2005. Rates of cerebral palsy, diagnosed at two years for the 2016-17 cohort, and at eight years in the earlier cohorts, were compared across eras. Within 2016-17, the proportions of children exposed to antenatal magnesium sulphate were determined, and rates of cerebral palsy were compared between those with and without exposure to magnesium sulphate. RESULTS: Overall, cerebral palsy was present in 6% (11/171) of survivors born in 2016-17, compared with 12% (62/499) of survivors born in the three earlier eras (odds ratio (OR) 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25-0.94; P = 0.032). Data were available for 213/215 (99%) survivors born in 2016-17, of whom 147 (69%) received magnesium sulphate. Data on cerebral palsy at two years were available for 171 (80%) survivors with magnesium data. Cerebral palsy was present in 5/125 (4%) children exposed to magnesium sulphate and in 6/46 (13%) of those not exposed (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.08-0.96; P = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Antenatal magnesium sulphate is being translated into clinical practice for infants born <28 weeks' gestation, but there is room for improvement. It is associated with lower rates of cerebral palsy in survivors.
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ItemNeurobehaviour at term-equivalent age and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years in infants born moderate-to-late preterm(WILEY, 2017-02)AIM: To examine the association between newborn neurobehavioural assessments and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years in infants born moderate-to-late preterm (MLPT). METHOD: Two-hundred and one infants born MLPT (born 32-36+6 wks' gestation) were assessed with the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE) and NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS), with suboptimal performance defined as scores lower than the 10th centile. Development was assessed at 2 years corrected age with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development 3rd Edition, with delay defined as scores less than 1 standard deviation (SD) below the mean. The relationships between neurobehaviour at term and Bayley-III cognitive, language, and motor scales at 2 years were examined using linear regression. RESULTS: Increased odds for cognitive delay were associated with suboptimal HNNE total scores (odds ratio [OR] 2.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-6.23, p=0.020) and suboptimal NNNS excitability (OR 3.01; 95% CI 1.33-6.82, p=0.008) and lethargy (OR 4.05; 95% CI 1.75-9.31, p=0.001) scores. Suboptimal lethargy scores on the NNNS were associated with increased odds of language (OR 5.64; 95% CI 1.33-23.85, p=0.019) and motor delay (OR: 6.86; 95% CI 1.64-28.71, p=0.08). INTERPRETATION: Suboptimal performance on specific aspects of newborn neurobehavioural assessments is associated with neurodevelopmental delay at 2 years in children born MLPT.
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ItemVery preterm children at risk for developmental coordination disorder have brain alterations in motor areas(WILEY, 2019-09)AIM: Brain alterations in very preterm children at risk for developmental coordination disorder were investigated. METHODS: Infants born very preterm with gestation age <30 weeks or birthweight <1250 g were recruited from Royal Women's Hospital Melbourne from 2001 to 2003. Volumetric imaging was performed at term equivalent age; at seven years, volumetric imaging and diffusion tensor imaging were performed. At seven years, 53 of 162 children without cerebral palsy had scores ≤16th percentile on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition and were considered at risk for developmental coordination disorder. RESULTS: At term equivalent age, smaller brain volumes were found for total brain tissue, cortical grey matter, cerebellum, caudate accumbens, pallidum and thalamus in children at risk for developmental coordination disorder (p < 0.05); similar patterns were present at seven years. There was no evidence for catch-up brain growth in at-risk children. At seven years, at-risk children displayed altered microstructural organisation in many white matter tracts (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Infants born very preterm at risk for developmental coordination disorder displayed smaller brain volumes at term equivalent age and seven years, and altered white matter microstructure at seven years, particularly in motor areas. There was no catch-up growth from infancy to seven years.
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ItemBrain structure and neurological and behavioural functioning in infants born preterm(WILEY, 2019-07)AIM: To examine: (1) relationships between brain structure, and concurrently assessed neurological and behavioural functioning, in infants born preterm at term-equivalent age (TEA; approximately 38-44wks); and (2) whether brain structure-function relationships differ between infants born very (24-29wks) and moderate-late (32-36wks) preterm. METHOD: A total of 257 infants (91 very preterm, 166 moderate-late preterm; 120 males, 137 females) had structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurological and behavioural assessments (Prechtl's general movements assessment, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale [NNNS] and Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination [HNNE]). Two hundred and sixty-three infants (90 very preterm, 173 moderate-late preterm; 131 males, 132 females) had diffusion MRI and assessments. Associations were investigated between assessment scores and global brain volumes using linear regressions, regional brain volumes using Voxel-Based Morphometry, and white matter microstructure using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics. RESULTS: Suboptimal scores on some assessments were associated with lower fractional anisotropy and/or higher axial, radial, and mean diffusivities in some tracts: NNNS attention and reflexes, and HNNE total score and tone, were associated with the corpus callosum and optic radiation; NNNS quality of movement with the corona radiata; HNNE abnormal signs with several major tracts. Brain structure-function associations generally did not differ between the very and moderate-late preterm groups. INTERPRETATION: White matter microstructural alterations may be associated with suboptimal neurological and behavioural performance in some domains at TEA in infants born preterm. Brain structure-function relationships are similar for infants born very preterm and moderate-late preterm. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Brain volume is not related to neurological/behavioural function in infants born preterm at term. White matter microstructure is related to some neurological/behavioural domains at term. Brain-behaviour relationships are generally similar for infants born very preterm and moderate-late preterm.
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ItemImpact of moderate and late preterm birth on neurodevelopment, brain development and respiratory health at school age: protocol for a longitudinal cohort study (LaPrem study)(BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP, 2021)INTRODUCTION: Children born moderate to late preterm (MLP, 32-36 weeks' gestation) account for approximately 85% of all preterm births globally. Compared with children born at term, children born MLP are at increased risk of poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. Despite making up the largest group of preterm children, developmental outcomes of children born MLP are less well studied than in other preterm groups. This study aimed to (1) compare neurodevelopmental, respiratory health and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes between children born MLP and term at 9 years of age; (2) examine the differences in brain growth trajectory from infancy to 9 years between children born MLP and term; and in children born MLP; (3) examine the relationship between brain development and neurodevelopment at 9 years; and (4) identify risk factors for poorer outcomes at 9 years. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The "LaPrem" (Late Preterm MRI Study) study is a longitudinal cohort study of children born MLP and term controls, born at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, between 2010 and 2013. Participants were recruited in the neonatal period and were previously followed up at 2 and 5 years. This 9-year school-age follow-up includes neuropsychology, motor and physical activities, and lung function assessments, as well as brain MRI. Outcomes at 9 years will be compared between birth groups using linear and logistic regressions. Trajectories of brain development will be compared between birth groups using mixed effects models. The relationships between MRI and neurodevelopmental outcomes, as well as other early predictors of poor 9-year outcomes, will be explored using linear and logistic regression. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study was approved by the human research ethics committee at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Study outcomes will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and social media.
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ItemLong term follow up of high risk children: who, why and how?(BMC, 2014-11-17)BACKGROUND: Most babies are born healthy and grow and develop normally through childhood. There are, however, clearly identifiable high-risk groups of survivors, such as those born preterm or with ill-health, who are destined to have higher than expected rates of health or developmental problems, and for whom more structured and specialised follow-up programs are warranted. DISCUSSION: This paper presents the results of a two-day workshop held in Melbourne, Australia, to discuss neonatal populations in need of more structured follow-up and why, in addition to how, such a follow-up programme might be structured. Issues discussed included the ages of follow-up, and the personnel and assessment tools that might be required. Challenges for translating results into both clinical practice and research were identified. Further issues covered included information sharing, best practice for families and research gaps. SUMMARY: A substantial minority of high-risk children has long-term medical, developmental and psychological adverse outcomes and will consume extensive health and education services as they grow older. Early intervention to prevent adverse outcomes and the effective integration of services once problems are identified may reduce the prevalence and severity of certain outcomes, and will contribute to an efficient and effective use of health resources. The shared long-term goal for families and professionals is to work toward ensuring that high risk children maximise their potential and become productive and valued members of society.