Continuum of Care and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Rural India: An Ambispective Cohort Study

Introduction Neurodevelopmental impairments (NDI) remain a major contributor to long-term disability in children, particularly in rural settings where awareness, early recognition, and continuity of care are limited. Fragmented care-seeking patterns and delayed diagnosis often influence developmental outcomes in these regions. We aimed to compare neurodevelopmental outcomes between children presenting directly to the outpatient department (OPD) and those enrolled in a structured high-risk follow-up programme, and to evaluate the influence of adherence, psychosocial factors, and healthcare access on treatment response. Methods and material A total of 73 children with documented perinatal risk factors and mild-moderate NDI were included. Data for the follow-up cohort were retrieved retrospectively from hospital records, whereas OPD children were assessed prospectively. Neurodevelopmental scores (NDS), developmental quotient (DQ)/intelligence quotient (IQ), behavioural profiles, and psychosocial risk factors were recorded. Improvement was measured as a percentage reduction in symptom severity after six months of therapy. Adherence levels and patterns of healthcare access were analysed. Logistic regression with multiple imputation was used to identify predictors of ≥20% improvement. Results Baseline NDS did not differ significantly between groups. Children from the follow-up cohort demonstrated more consistent improvement, with 85% achieving a ≥20% reduction in symptoms, compared with 41% of OPD children. The OPD group showed improvement mainly in behavioural symptoms, whereas the follow-up group demonstrated additional gains in IQ and academic performance. Psychosocial adversity, anaemia prevalence, and low adherence were substantially more common in the OPD cohort. Logistic regression did not identify any single independent predictor of improvement, although adherence showed the strongest clinical association. Conclusions Children enrolled in structured follow-up programmes achieved more stable and multidimensional neurodevelopmental gains than those presenting directly to OPD care. Poor adherence, psychosocial adversity, and delayed recognition of developmental concerns contributed to weaker outcomes in the OPD group. Strengthening continuum-of-care pathways and improving caregiver awareness are essential for optimising neurodevelopmental outcomes in rural settings.