Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination in low-risk infants born very preterm: a longitudinal prospective study

Aim To describe the profile of global and single items of the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) in a population of low-risk infants born very preterm during the first year of life. Method The HINE was performed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months' corrected age in a population of low-risk infants born preterm with a gestational age of fewer than 32 weeks and with normal or minimal changes on neuroimaging. Results A total of 174 infants born preterm (96 males, 78 females; mean gestational age = 27 weeks [SD = 1.8], range 23-31 weeks) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The 10th centile cut-off score with median and range was reported for the HINE global and subsection scores. A progressive increase in global HINE scores was observed. Most of the single items, especially those related to tone, posture, and reflexes, showed progressive maturation. Interpretation Our results, which provide longitudinal data for single-item and global scores in a population of low-risk infants born very preterm, can be used as a reference in both clinical and research settings to monitor early neurological signs in these infants. These data could be used as normative data when examining low-risk infants born preterm.

Automated summary

This study aimed to describe the profile of the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) in low-risk infants born very preterm during the first year of life. The results showed a progressive maturation of most single items, especially those related to tone, posture, and reflexes.