1233 The Impact of Medical Home Model on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Very Preterm Infants

Abstract

Objective The aim of the study is to compare the 2-year neurodevelopmental outcome of very low birth weight and/or very preterm infants followed with "medical home model" implemented in a big maternity hospital in Turkey with the primary health care. Methods We designed a prospective controlled study of infants born <32 week's gestation and/or <1500 g and hospitalized. After discharge, intervention group were followed with in the concept of medical home model and control group were followed in the concept of primary standart health care. At 18-24 months' of corrected age, the neurological examinations and the developmental assessments using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II were performed. Results The cerebral palsy rates in the intervention and control group were 10.6% (n=17) and 17.4% (n=27) respectively and the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.107). Whereas the rate of neurodevelopmental impairment in the intervention group was significantly lower than the control group (25% and 38, 7%; p=0.011). Conclusion We demonstrated that beginning a good follow-up process within the context of medical home model, efficient developmental support and performing guidance for early diagnose reduced the negative effects of VLBW and/or prematurity on neurodevelopmental impairment at 2 years of age.