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).
Conclusion: Late preterm neonates born to mothers with pre-eclampsia have poor short term neurobehavioral outcomes.