Sociodemographic and medical influences on neurobehavioral patterns in preterm infants: A multi-center study

Abstract Background Among preterm infants, neurodevelopmental outcomes are influenced by both medical and sociodemographic factors. Less is known about the impact on these factors on neonatal neurobehavioral patterns. Objective To determine associations between demographic, psychosocial and medical risk factors and neonatal neurobehavior. Methods Multi-center observational study of infants born Results 709 infants were enrolled in the NOVI study, and for 679 infants with neurobehavioral assessments, 6 NNNS behavioral profiles were calculated using latent profile analysis. Profile 6 infants (n = 47/679, 7%) were atypical, having poor attention, self-regulation and movement quality, hypertonia and increased stress signs. After adjustment for site, profile 6 infants had significantly smaller head circumferences at birth (β −0.87; −1.59, −0.14), and higher rates of late sepsis (OR 3.38; CI 1.66, 6.92) compared to Profiles 1–5 infants. There were no significant differences in other neonatal morbidities between the two groups. Profile 6 infants had a higher prenatal demographic risk score (1.46 vs 1.07;β 0.34; CI 0.06, 0.61) compared to Profiles 1–5 infants. Conclusion NNNS behavioral profiles identify an atypical behavioral pattern that is associated with early influences of demographic and medical variables. Such behavioral patterns may be seen as early as NICU discharge.