The relationship of neurodevelopmental impairment to concurrent early childhood outcomes of extremely preterm infants

Objective: Determine how neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) relates to concurrent outcomes for children born extremely preterm.

Study design: Retrospective cohort study children born 22 0/7-26 6/7 weeks' gestation at NICHD Neonatal Research Network hospitals. Outcomes were ascertained at 18-22 months' corrected age.

Result: Of 6562 children, 2618 (40%) died and 441 (7%) had no follow-up. Among the remaining 3483 children, 825 (24%), 1576 (45%), 657 (19%), and 425 (12%) had no, potential/mild, moderate, and severe NDI, respectively. Rehospitalization, respiratory medications, surgery, and medical support services were associated with greater NDI severity but affected >10% of children without NDI. Rehospitalization occurred in 40% of children with no NDI (mean (SD): 1.7 (1.3) episodes).

Conclusion: Medical, functional, and social outcomes at 18-22 months' corrected age were associated with NDI; however, many children without NDI were affected. These data should contribute to counseling families and the design of studies for childhood outcomes beyond NDI.

Rysavy, M. A., Colaizy, T. T., Bann, C. M., DeMauro, S. B., Duncan, A. F., Brumbaugh, J. E., Peralta-Carcelen, M., Harmon, H. M., Johnson, K. J., Hintz, S. R., Vohr, B. R., Bell, E. F., & Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network. (2021). The relationship of neurodevelopmental impairment to concurrent early childhood outcomes of extremely preterm infantsJournal of Perinatology41(9), 2270–2278. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-021-00999-7