Sacred Heart Journal
Peer-reviewed pediatric research, resident clinical investigation, neonatal outcome studies, and congenital cardiology innovations from Sacred Heart Pediatric Hospital.
Reduced fetal movements and maternal medication - new pregnancy risk factors for neurodevelopmental disability in childhood
Abstract A case-control study was undertaken of 471 children on the Nottingham Special Needs Register (SNR) who were born in one of the two maternity units in the city between 2013 and 2017 (inclusive). Controls were selected as the next infant born at the same hospital following each index case. The aim of the study was to identify risk factors on the Nottingham Obstetric Database for a baby subsequently appearing on the SNR. Disability was analysed by both ICD-9 coding and functional assessment. Factors which independently and significantly predicted a child's likelihood of being on the SNR were breech presentation (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 4.0), congenital abnormality (OR=4.9), intrapartum fetal distress (OR=1.7), fetal growth restriction (OR=2.0), socioeconomic deprivation (OR=1.8), prematurity (OR=2.2), reduced fetal movements (OR=2.5) and medication in pregnancy (OR=10.4). To our knowledge the last two factors have not previously been reported as risk predictors for neurodevelopmental disability.