Developmental Functioning Outcomes in Infants With Cystic Fibrosis: A 24- to 36-Month Follow-Up Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine early motor repertoire using Prechtl General Movement Assessment (GMA) and later developmental functioning of infants with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Methods: Early motor repetoire was evaluated using Prechtl GMA, and developmental functioning was assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-Third Edition (Bayley-III) in infants with CF and their peers who were neurotypical, as the control group.

Results: Twelve infants with CF clinically stable and 12 infants who were neurotypical, with respective median post-term ages of 14 and 13 weeks, were assessed using GMA. At 24 to 36 months, the Bayley-III was applied to the CF group (median post-term age = 27.5 months) and the control group (median post-term age = 27.0 months). Fidgety movements were absent in 5 infants with CF, whereas all infants who were neurotypical had normal fidgety movements. The Motor Optimality Score was significantly lower in the CF group (median = 18.5) compared with the control group (median = 26). The CF group had significantly lower composite scores in the Bayley-III cognition, language, and motor domains compared with the control group.

Conclusion: Cognitive, language, and motor development was delayed in infants with CF. Developmental functioning of infants with CF should be assessed as early as possible and monitored, and age-specific early intervention programs should be considered when necessary.

Impact: Infants with CF may have motor, cognitive, and language developmental delays compared with peers who are neurotypical during early childhood, and hospitalization was negatively correlated with motor development at 24 to 36 months of age. This study highlights the importance of early assessment of developmental functioning and age-specific, early intervention programs when necessary in infants with CF.

Lay summary: It is important to assess developmental functioning as early as possible in infants with CF and to consider age-specific early intervention programs when necessary.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03577756.

Keywords: Bayley-III; Cystic Fibrosis; Developmental Functioning; Motor Repertoire; Prechtl GMA.