Zsuzsanna Varga
Semmelweis University, Hungary
Title: Parental educational level modulates the cognitive developmental outcome in infants with neonatal encephalopathy
Biography
Biography: Zsuzsanna Varga
Abstract
Aim: Despite advanced imaging and neurophysiological tests, prognostication of neurodevelopmental outcomes in NE is still not precise. Our aim was to consider the predictive value of Socio-Economic Status (SES) for developmental outcomes independent of physiological variables and disease severity in NE infants.
Methods: A cohort of 93 NE infants who had MRI examination with Barkovich scorings in the neonatal period were examined and prospectively followed until 16-42 months of age. Besides the registration of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II, we collected SES variables, including combined parental education to reveal associations between SES and outcomes.
Results: At mean follow-up of 23.0 ± 6.7 months, higher parental education was strongly associated with good cognitive outcome (OR 2.20; 95% CI: 1.16-4.36), but not with motor outcome. One point for brain injury on neonatal MRI was associated with decreased odds for good cognitive outcome (OR 0.70; 95% CI: 0.50-0.89). In the subgroup of NE infants with any brain injury on MRI (n=21), literacy environment (OR 40; 95% CI: 3.7-1352) seems to have a marked effect on cognitive development.