Outcome of Infants at Risk of Brain Damage after Katona Neurohabilitation Therapy

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate Katona's neurohabilitation therapy in preterm and term infants with risk factors for brain damage followed up to 24 months of age. Methods: 262 infants from 25 to 40 weeks of gestational age (GA) were treated with neurohabilitation beginning before 2 months of corrected age. Treatment was intensive, sustained for at least 12 months and required family participation. Neuropediatric examinations, MRI and Bayley-II scales were performed. Results: Abnormal MRI findings were observed in 80% of infants (increase in lateral ventricle volumes, decrease in corpus callosum volume, diffuse and cystic periventricular leukomalacia, diffuse white matter abnormalities, haemorrhages, infarcts). Outcome: Bayley-II scales showed that 20% of infants with a GA of less than 29 weeks and less than 15% of infants with a 30-40 week GA had significantly delayed MDI and PDI scores. Conclusion: Diagnosis and treatment using neurohabilitation in new-borns at risk of brain damage is recommended.