Journal of Advanced Clinical Neurology Research

Abstract

Background: Preterm birth and low birth weight (LBW) remain major contributors to neonatal morbidity and long-term neurodevelopmental impairment worldwide. Infants born prematurely are particularly vulnerable to motor dysfunction, cognitive delay, behavioural abnormalities, and impaired language development because of the immaturity of the developing brain and exposure to multiple neonatal stressors. Early physiotherapy intervention has emerged as an important strategy for improving neurodevelopmental outcomes in this high-risk population.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of structured early physiotherapy intervention on neurodevelop¬mental outcomes among preterm LBW infants during the first six months of corrected age.

Methodology: A prospective comparative study was conducted among 100 preterm LBW infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Referral Newborn (RNB) Unit at Raja Muthiah Medical College and Hospital (RMMC&H). Infants were divided into two groups: the Early Intervention (EI) group, which received regular physiotherapy-based developmental intervention, and the Non-Early Intervention (NEI) group, whose caregivers declined participation despite counselling. Neurological assessment was performed using the Amiel-Tison Neurologic Examination, while developmental assessment was carried out using the Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST). Assessments were completed at six months of corrected age.

Results: Infants in the EI group demonstrated significantly improved neurodevelopmental outcomes across gross motor, fine motor-adaptive, language, and personal-social domains compared with infants in the NEI group. Gross motor and language development showed the most substantial improvement. Neurological exam-ination findings also revealed better tone regulation, posture, and reflex integration among infants receiving structured physiotherapy intervention.

Conclusion: Structured early physiotherapy intervention during infancy significantly improves neurodevel¬opmental outcomes in preterm LBW infants. Incorporating early developmental physiotherapy into routine neonatal follow-up programs may reduce developmental delay and enhance long-term functional outcomes in this vulnerable population.