138 Association of gestational age and neurodevelopment delays in childrens exposed to NICU

Abstract

Objectives/Goals: Explore the association of gestational age of LPIs and neurodevelopment delay in children exposed to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Compare between groups if exposure to NICU affects neurodevelopment in children who were born between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation. Methods/Study Population: This is a cross-sectional study design to study the association of gestational age and neurodevelopmental delays in a birth cohort in Puerto Rico of children exposed to the NICU. Their neurodevelopment will be measured with the Bayley III. Statistical analysis will be performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0. Descriptive statistics will be used, and normality distributions among all continuous variables, frequency distribution for categorical variables. We will recruit 30 infants between 18–24 months of age that were born between 34–37 weeks of gestation. Infant will be divided with regard to their exposure to NICU experience. Results/Anticipated Results: We anticipate identifying neurodevelopment delays among children born prematurely between 34 to 37 weeks of gestation. We anticipate that our controlled group will have better outcomes when compared to the controlled expose group. We also expect that gestational age impacts adversely neurodevelopment in children who were born between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Approximately 84% preterm birth are considered LPIs. Prematurity is described as a chronic condition; adverse long-term neurodevelopment consequences. Our study promotes early detection and interventions that can reduce the consequences of the neurodevelopment delays in LPIs.