Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Neonates with Rotaviral Encephalopathy: A Prospective Cohort Study

This is a prospective cohort study involving infants previously admitted to the NICU for seizures or encephalopathy and subsequently diagnosed with rotavirus encephalopathy. Follow-up neurodevelopmental outcomes will be assessed in the NICU highrisk clinic. Parental consent will be obtained from eligible participants. All infants meeting the inclusion criteria will be identified from the NICU and MRD admission-discharge records. Medical records will be accessed from the hospital’s medical records department for NICU data. Parents will be contacted by phone and via mail and are requested to visit the NICU HRFU clinic for neurodevelopmental follow up visits every 3 to 6 months until 3 years of age. Diagnoses will be verified through documented laboratory confirmation of rotavirus infection in the records, along with MRI evidence of rotaviral encephalopathy. Baseline information on demographics, birth history gestational age, birth weight, and clinical presentation age at presentation, symptoms such as seizures or altered mental status) will be recorded. The clinical profile, including symptom onset and duration (documenting when symptoms began and how long they lasted); laboratory and imaging results (including rotavirus test results, complete blood count, biochemical profiles, cerebrospinal fluid CSF analysis if conducted, and electroencephalography EEG and neuroimaging findings of the MRI brain treatment administered type and duration of treatments given, e.g., antivirals, antiepileptics, supportive care); and outcome at NICU discharge neurological status at discharge, resolution of seizures or encephalopathy, and any noted complications will be extracted from the hospital’s electronic and/or physical records. Additional data on any comorbid conditions or congenital abnormalities will also be included. Neurodevelopmental outcomes between 1 and 3 years of age will be evaluated using the Denver Developmental Screening Test DDST. The Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Infants DASII will be used to further assess motor and mental scores in participants who do not pass the DDST screening test. Data from other neurological assessments during follow-up will also be recorded follow-up imaging, EEG. Participants who are found to have neurodevelopmental issues will be provided with standard treatments with occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, and vision, and hearing support as standard of care.