Preserved Neonatal Follow-Up Care During COVID-19: Use of Neurodevelopmental Evaluation Via Telehealth

Abstract

Objective:

This retrospective study aimed to analyze the practicality of conducting teleneurodevelopmental evaluations with a general clinical population of children under 5 years of age. The project goal was to afford continued clinical care during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method:

The study sample included children who required neonatal intensive care hospitalization after birth, given increased risk for developmental delay. The practicality and usefulness of a modified developmental evaluation administered via telehealth were analyzed. Evaluation results indicated whether patients were largely performing within expectations for age (i.e., pass) or if performance was below expectations indicating concern for developmental delay (i.e., fail).

Results:

Thirty-five out of a total of 51 patients had in-person evaluation transitioned to telehealth. No significant associations were found between gender, age at the time of testing, and evaluation accessibility. There was a significant association between gender and prior history of developmental delay. No other significant associations were found based on gestational age and birth weight. Concern for developmental delay was identified in 29% of evaluations. Intervention supports, including a combination of feeding therapy, medication/behavioral intervention, and speech–language therapy, were recommended for 46% of the patients identified with concern for developmental delay.

Conclusions:

Telehealth developmental evaluation was practical and useful for patients, met clinical needs, and limited delay in accessing early intervention supports.

Implications for Impact Statement

Approximately 250 million children across the globe aged 5 and younger are at heightened risk for delayed developmental milestones. Early detection, prevention, and intervention are crucial for optimizing academic, economic, and health outcomes for these children. Determining the practicality and usefulness of providing neurodevelopmental evaluations via telehealth provides important information as to alternative service delivery options for clinical care of young children. Conducting preliminary neurodevelopmental evaluations via telehealth with the option for further intervention if deemed necessary allows services to be more widely available to those who face undue burden attending in-person consultations.

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