The developmental motor outcomes of infants with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy II and III between the ages of 12-14 months at Chris Hani Baragwanath academic hospital

Abstract

This study determined outcomes for motor developmental delay in infants, 12-14 months, diagnosed with HIE II and III, at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. Twenty nine infants diagnosed with HIE II and nine infants diagnosed with HIE III were assessed using the Peabody Development Motor Scale- 2, at their corrected age. Demographic, antenatal and perinatal factors similar to those in other studies were found for this sample. Infants with HIE III had significantly more developmental delay (p=0.01) than infants with HIE II. Fifty two percent of infants with HIE II had no delay while a 100% of infants with HIE III presented with disability. A greater percentage of infants had delay in fine motor skills. Infants with severe and moderate disabilities were receiving intervention whereas those mild disabilities were often missed in screening clinics. It is vital to ensure these infants are assessed and followed up to remediate difficulties as soon as they arise.