• Dr. N. MEENA

The steady improvement in the quality of perinatal care has enhanced the survival of at-risk infants who are at-risk for developmental delay. The ability to identify infants with early neurodevelopmental problems has become a priority. Many of these infants have developmental disabilities that require therapeutic intervention to avoid secondary problems. A prospective, controlled trial was conducted to assess the effect of early intervention on Preterm infants. A cohort of 100 Preterm infants who got admitted in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and referral newborn (RNB) of Raja Muthiah Medical College and hospital (RMMCH) were included prospectively. Infants who received regular early intervention were assigned as interventional group (EI) & infants who were advised but did not turn up for early intervention and received conventional physiotherapy as control group (NEI). Early intervention consists of providing continuous multidisciplinary services to infants from birth throughout the first year of life. The Denver developmental screening test (DDST) and Amiel-Tison neurologic examination was used. The average level of the achievement in developmental domains in both groups of infants was compared. Results: The data shows significant benefit in the achievement of developmental domains in EI group. Conclusion: The study suggests a positive effect of early intervention in the neurodevelopmental outcome in EI group over NEI group of Preterm infants.

Preterm infants, Early Intervention, Neurodevelopment.

"EFFECTIVENESS OF EARLY INTERVENTION ON NEURODEVELOPMENT IN PRETERM INFANTS", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.4, Issue 3, page no.242-248, March-2017, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1703049.pdf

"EFFECTIVENESS OF EARLY INTERVENTION ON NEURODEVELOPMENT IN PRETERM INFANTS", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.4, Issue 3, page no. pp242-248, March-2017, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1703049.pdf