Objective
To study the effect of maternal pre-eclampsia on the short-term neurobehavioral outcomes in late preterm neonates using Neurobehavioral Assessment of Preterm Infants (NAPI) score.
Methods
30 late preterm neonates born to mothers with preeclampsia, and thirty controls born to mothers without pre-eclampsia were enrolled, and followed up to 40 weeks of post-menstrual age. They were evaluated by NAPI score of MDV (Motor development-vigor) and AO (Alertness orientation) at 40 wk.
Results
The mean NAPI score of MDV in cases was 60.1 (9.56) as compared to 70.0 (11.48) in controls (P <0.001). The mean NAPI score of AO in cases was 37.45 (11.04) as compared to 45.6 (13.33) in controls (P=0.006).
Conclusions
Late preterm neonates born to mothers with pre-eclampsia have poor short term neurobehavioral outcomes.