Bias in reported neurodevelopmental outcomes among extremely low birth weight survivors

Are toddlers with neurosensory impairment more difficult to follow up? A secondary analysis of the hPOD follow-up study

OBJECTIVE

To describe strategies used to maximise follow-up after a neonatal randomised trial, how these differed for families of different ethnicity, socioeconomic status and urban versus rural residence and investigate relationships between the difficulty of follow-up and rate of neurosensory impairment.

METHOD

hPOD was a multicentre randomised trial assessing oral dextrose gel prophylaxis for neonatal hypoglycaemia. Follow-up at 2 years was conducted from 2017 to 2021. We analysed all recorded contacts between the research team and participants' families. Neurosensory impairment was defined as blindness, deafness, cerebral palsy, developmental delay or executive function impairment.

RESULTS

Of 1321 eligible participants, 1197 were assessed (91%) and 236/1194 (19.8%) had neurosensory impairment. Participants received a median of five contacts from the research team (range 1-23). Those from more deprived areas and specific ethnicities received more contacts, particularly home tracking visits and home assessments. Impairment was more common among participants receiving more contacts (relative risk 1.81, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.44 for ≥7 contacts vs <7 contacts), and among those assessed after the intended age (76/318, 23.9% if >25 months vs 160/876, 18.3% if ≤25 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Varied contact strategies and long timeframes are required to achieve a high follow-up rate. Without these, the sociodemographics of children assessed would not have been representative of the entire cohort, and the rate of neurosensory impairment would have been underestimated. To maximise follow-up after randomised trials, substantial effort and resources are needed to ensure that data are useful for clinical decision-making.

Microbiota from Preterm Infants Who Develop Necrotizing Enterocolitis Drives the Neurodevelopment Impairment in a Humanized Mouse Model

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the leading basis for gastrointestinal morbidity and poses a significant risk for neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in preterm infants. Aberrant bacterial colonization preceding NEC contributes to the pathogenesis of NEC, and we have demonstrated that immature microbiota in preterm infants negatively impacts neurodevelopment and neurological outcomes. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that microbial communities before the onset of NEC drive NDI. Using our humanized gnotobiotic model in which human infant microbial samples were gavaged to pregnant germ-free C57BL/6J dams, we compared the effects of the microbiota from preterm infants who went on to develop NEC (MNEC) to the microbiota from healthy term infants (MTERM) on brain development and neurological outcomes in offspring mice. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that MNEC mice had significantly decreased occludin and ZO-1 expression compared to MTERM mice and increased ileal inflammation marked by the increased nuclear phospho-p65 of NFκB expression, revealing that microbial communities from patients who developed NEC had a negative effect on ileal barrier development and homeostasis. In open field and elevated plus maze tests, MNEC mice had worse mobility and were more anxious than MTERM mice. In cued fear conditioning tests, MNEC mice had worse contextual memory than MTERM mice. MRI revealed that MNEC mice had decreased myelination in major white and grey matter structures and lower fractional anisotropy values in white matter areas, demonstrating delayed brain maturation and organization. MNEC also altered the metabolic profiles, especially carnitine, phosphocholine, and bile acid analogs in the brain. Our data demonstrated numerous significant differences in gut maturity, brain metabolic profiles, brain maturation and organization, and behaviors between MTERM and MNEC mice. Our study suggests that the microbiome before the onset of NEC has negative impacts on brain development and neurological outcomes and can be a prospective target to improve long-term developmental outcomes.

Neurodevelopmental outcome of infants who develop necrotizing enterocolitis: The gut-brain axis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) poses a significant risk for neurodevelopmental impairment in extremely preterm infants. The gut microbiota shapes the development of the gut, immune system, and the brain; and dysbiosis drive neonatal morbidities including NEC. In this chapter, we delineate a gut-brain axis linking gut microbiota to the adverse neurological outcomes in NEC patients. We propose that in NEC, immaturity of the microbiome along with aberrant gut microbiota-driven immaturity of the gut barrier and immune system can lead to effects including systemic inflammation and circulating microbial mediators. This nexus of gut microbiota-driven systemic effects further interacts with a likewise underdeveloped blood-brain barrier to regulate neuroinflammation and neurodevelopment. Targeting deviant gut-brain axis signaling presents an opportunity to improve the neurodevelopmental outcomes of NEC patients.

Role of gut-brain axis in neurodevelopmental impairment of necrotizing enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a common gastrointestinal disease of preterm infants with high morbidity and mortality. In survivors of NEC, one of the leading causes of long-term morbidity is the development of severe neurocognitive injury. The exact pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental delay in NEC remains unknown, but microbiota is considered to have dramatic effects on the development and function of the host brain via the gut-brain axis. In this review, we discuss the characteristics of microbiota of NEC, the impaired neurological outcomes, and the role of the complex interplay between the intestinal microbiota and brain to influence neurodevelopment in NEC. The increasing knowledge of microbial-host interactions has the potential to generate novel therapies for manipulating brain development in the future.

Long-Term Outcome of Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Spontaneous Intestinal Perforation

OBJECTIVES

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) are complications in preterm infants associated with high morbidity, mortality, impaired growth, and neurodevelopmental (ND) outcomes. Few studies have reported growth or ND outcomes of infants born extremely preterm with NEC/SIP beyond early childhood. Here, we compared anthropometric and ND outcomes, at 10 and 15 years, for children with medical NEC, surgical NEC, SIP, and neither NEC nor SIP.

METHODS

Participants from the prospective longitudinal extremely low gestational age newborns study were evaluated at ages 10 and 15 years for anthropometrics, neurocognition, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, epilepsy, and gross motor function.

RESULTS

At age 10 years, 889 children were followed-up (medical NEC = 138, surgical NEC = 33, SIP = 29, no NEC/SIP = 689), and 694 children were followed up-at 15 years. Children with medical NEC had similar weight, BMI, height, and head circumference compared with controls at both 10 and 15 years. At 15 years, children with surgical NEC had lower weight z-score (adjusted β: -0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.25 to -0.25), lower BMI z-score (adjusted β: -0.55, 95% CI: -1.09 to -0.01), and lower height z-score (adjusted β: -0.65, 95% CI: -1.16 to -0.14). Children with SIP had lower weight and height z-scores at age 10 years when adjusted for sample attrition, but these differences were not significant when adjusted for confounders. We observed no differences in long-term ND outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical NEC- and SIP-associated growth impairment may persist through late childhood. ND outcomes among school-aged children born extremely preterm with any NEC or SIP are no different from children without NEC/SIP.

Parental perspective on important health outcomes of extremely preterm infants

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Neonatal outcome research and clinical follow-up principally focus on neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) after extremely preterm birth, as defined by the scientific community, without parental input. This survey aimed to investigate parental perspectives about the health and development of their preterm children.

METHODS

Parents of children aged 18 months to 7 years born <29 weeks' gestational age presenting at a neonatal follow-up clinic over a 1-year period were asked to evaluate their children's health and development. They were also asked the following question: 'if you could improve two things about your child, what would they be?' Responses were analysed using mixed methods. Logistic regressions were done to compare parental responses.

RESULTS

248 parents of 213 children (mean gestational age 26.6±1.6 weeks, 20% with severe NDI) were recruited. Parents evaluated their children's health at a median of 9/10. Parental priorities for health improvements were (1) development, mainly behaviour, emotional health and language/communication (55%); (2) respiratory heath and overall medical fragility (25%); and (3) feeding/growth issues (14%). Nineteen per cent explicitly mentioned 'no improvements'. Parents were more likely to state 'no improvements' if child had no versus severe NDI OR 4.33 (95% CI 1.47 to 12.75)) or if parents had no versus at least a high school diploma (OR 4.01 (95% 1.99 to 8.10)).

CONCLUSIONS

Parents evaluate the health of their preterm children as being very good, with positive perspectives. Parental concerns outside the developmental sphere should also be addressed both in clinical follow-up and research.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes of very low birth weight infants in the Neonatal Research Network of Japan: importance of neonatal intensive care unit graduate follow-up

Here we describe the neurodevelopmental outcomes of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (birth weight ≤1,500 g) at 3 years of age in the Neonatal Research Network of Japan (NRNJ) database in the past decade and review the methodological issues identified in follow-up studies. The follow-up protocol for children at 3 years of chronological age in the NRNJ consists of physical and comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessments in each participating center. Neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI)-moderate to severe neurological disability-is defined as cerebral palsy (CP) with a Gross Motor Function Classification System score ≥2, visual impairment such as uni- or bilateral blindness, hearing impairment requiring hearing amplification, or cognitive impairment with a developmental quotient (DQ) of Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development score <70 or judgment as delayed by pediatricians. We used death or NDI as an unfavorable outcome in all study subjects and NDI in survivors using number of assessed infants as the denominator. Follow-up data were collected from 49% of survivors in the database. Infants with follow-up data had lower birth weights and were of younger gestational age than those without followup data. Mortality rates of 40,728 VLBW infants born between 2003 and 2012 were 8.2% before discharge and 0.7% after discharge. The impairment rates in the assessed infants were 7.1% for CP, 1.8% for blindness, 0.9% for hearing impairment, 15.9% for a DQ <70, and 19.1% for NDI. The mortality or NDI rate in all study subjects, including infants without followup data, was 17.4%, while that in the subjects with outcome data was 32.5%. The NRNJ follow-up study results suggested that children born with a VLBW remained at high risk of NDI in early childhood. It is important to establish a network followup protocol and complete assessments with fewer dropouts to enable clarification of the outcomes of registered infants.

Lack of social support as measured by the Family Resource Scale screening tool is associated with early adverse cognitive outcome in extremely low birth weight children

OBJECTIVE

Extremely low birth weight children are at high risk for cognitive impairment.

STUDY DESIGN

Cognitive outcome of extremely low birth weight children participating in a Neonatal Research Network, randomized trial was evaluated at 18 and 30 months corrected age using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 2nd ed. Family resources and social support were assessed using a Family Resource Scale parent questionnaire. Regression analysis was used to determine independent demographic, medical, and family resource factors influencing longitudinal cognitive outcome.

RESULT

Higher Family Resource Scale scores at 18 months were associated with greater improvement in cognitive scores between 18 and 30 months. Cognitive outcome was most adversely affected in children whose families had the least resources and social support. The adverse effect of poor social support was independent of family income.

CONCLUSION

Poor interpersonal social support has an independent, adverse impact on cognitive outcomes of extremely low birth weight infants.

Long Term Outcome of Infants with NEC

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an important complication for premature newborns. Infants who survive NEC have a greater possibility of poor long-term physiological and neurodevelopmental growth. The objective of this paper is to give a comprehensive description of the long-term consequences of NEC. Despite the rise in incidence of NEC there is a scarcity of data regarding long-term outcomes of these infants that can be divided into two groups. The first group includes gastrointestinal complications that could occur in relation to the bowel disease, the surgical treatment and quality of the residual bowel. These complications are strictures and short bowel syndrome (SBS). Intestinal strictures are a common occurance after recovery from NEC that should be investigated with a contrast study in case of suspicious clinical findings of bowel obstruction or before reversal ostomy. After this diagnostic investigation, if a stricture is detected in a symptomatic patient, resection of the affected loop of bowel with anastomosis is required. SBS is the result of a massive intestinal resection or of a dysfunctional residual bowel and it can occur in a fourth of patients affected by NEC. The second group includes neurodevelopmental impairment and growth. Neurodevelopmental outcomes of patients after NEC recovery have not been widely reported. Infants with NEC is a population of patients at high risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes whose cause can be multifactorial and linked to perinatal events, severity of disease, surgical treatment and its complications and hospitalization. Understanding the morbidity of NEC with a longterm follow-up would aid neonatologists and pediatric surgeons to make informed decisions in providing care for these patients. Further research on this topic is needed.

Patient, Family, and Center-Based Factors Associated with Attrition in Neonatal Clinical Research: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

Attrition, or loss to follow-up, presents a significant threat to the integrity and validity of longitudinal clinical research. Little is known about predictors of attrition in neonatal clinical research, and no prior studies have examined how families' experiences participating in research with their infants influences study compliance.

OBJECTIVE

To identify novel factors that were associated with attrition over 1 year of study follow-up among preterm infants enrolled in the multicenter Prematurity and Respiratory Outcomes Program (PROP) observational study.

METHODS

At discharge, research coordinators estimated the likelihood of attrition. The parents completed questionnaires about their experience with the study at discharge and at 1 year corrected age. The primary endpoint was completion of 4 PROP interviews during the first year. Logistic models were used to evaluate the associations between infant, family, and center-based characteristics and attrition.

RESULTS

Among 318 children, 283 (89%) met the primary endpoint. In bivariate analyses, lower maternal education, more people in the household, public insurance, and site were associated with attrition (p < 0.05). Parent survey responses, infant characteristics, and site characteristics were unrelated to attrition. Coordinators' prediction of attrition was associated with completion of early study interviews; this effect waned over time. In multivariable analyses, lower maternal education and more people in the household were the factors most strongly associated with attrition.

CONCLUSION

Future neonatal research should evaluate novel strategies to decrease the burden associated with study participation and reinforcement of study goals with families who have lower educational levels to facilitate participation and decrease attrition bias.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn in extremely preterm infants: a Japanese cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the characteristics of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) in extremely preterm infants and its impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes at 3 years of age.

DESIGN

A retrospective multicentre cohort study.

SETTINGS

202 tertiary perinatal centres registered in the Neonatal Research Network of Japan (NRNJ).

PATIENTS

Infants born at <28 weeks of gestational age (GA), between 2003 and 2012, were extracted from tertiary perinatal centres participating in NRNJ.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Demographic characteristics, morbidity, interventions and mortality were compared for infants with and without PPHN. Multivariable logistic analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of PPHN on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes (the prevalence rate of cerebral palsy, need for home oxygen therapy, and visual, hearing and cognitive impairment) at 3 years of age.

RESULTS

The prevalence of PPHN among the 12 954 extremely preterm infants enrolled was 8.1% (95% CI 7.7% to 8.6%), with the trend increasing annually, and a higher proportion as GA decreased: 18.5% (range, 15.2% to 22.4%) for infants born at 22 weeks compared with 4.4% (range, 3.8% to 5.2%) for those born at 27 weeks. Clinical chorioamnionitis and premature rupture of membranes were associated with PPHN. On multivariate analysis of the data from 5923 infants followed up for 3 years, PPHN was a significant independent risk factor for visual impairment (adjusted OR, 1.42, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.97).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of PPHN in extremely preterm infants has been increasing over the past decade in Japan. Clinicians should be aware of visual impairments as a neurodevelopmental abnormality among infants with PPHN.

The predictors for the non-compliance to follow-up among very low birth weight infants in the Korean neonatal network

The critical need to emphasize preterm infant follow-up after neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge assures early identification of and intervention for neurodevelopmental disability. The aims of this study were to observe the follow-up rates in high-risk follow-up clinics, and analyze factors associated with non-compliance to follow-up among very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. The data was prospectively collected for 3063 VLBW infants between January 2013 and December 2014 from 57 Korean neonatal network (KNN) centers at a corrected age of 18–24 months. Correlations among demographic data, clinical variables, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) volume (divided into 4 quartiles) with the occurrence of non-compliance were analyzed. The overall follow-up rate at the corrected age of 18–24 month was 65.4%. The follow-up rates were inversely related to birth weight and gestational age. Apgar score, hospital stay, maternal age, and maternal education were significantly different between the compliance and non-compliance groups. The follow-up rate was higher for mothers with chorioamnionitis, abnormal amniotic fluid, multiple pregnancy, and in vitro fertilization. Infants with respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus ligation, periventricular leukomalacia, and retinopathy of prematurity were more common in the compliance group. Follow-up rates showed significant differences according to NICU volume. Using multivariate logistic regression, high birth weight, low NICU volume, siblings, foreign maternal nationality and high 5 min APGAR scores were significant independent factors associated with the non-compliance of VLBW infants for follow-up at 18–24 months of age. This is the first nation-wide analysis of follow-up for VLBW infants in Korea. Understanding factors associated with failure of compliance could help improve the long-term follow-up rates and neurodevelopmental outcomes through early intervention.

Amplitude-Integrated EEG and Brain Sparing in Preterm Small-for-Gestational-Age Infants

PURPOSE

Preterm small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants are at risk for a high mortality rate and impaired cognitive development. Only a few studies have focused on amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) in preterm SGA infants. They have been shown to have a slower rate of brain maturation, but these findings have not consistently been related to neurodevelopmental outcomes. The aim of our study was to evaluate early aEEG monitoring in SGA compared with adequate-for-gestational-age preterms.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study enrolled infants with very low birth weight who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Hospital Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain, from June 2009 to September 2012. This study was a subanalysis of SGA from the global cohort previously described by our group. Adverse outcome included severe intraventricular hemorrhage and/or death. Cerebral function was monitored using aEEG recordings during the first 72 hours of life.

RESULTS

Preterm SGA infants (18 SGA in the global cohort of 92 patients) had lower 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores, higher score for neonatal acute physiology perinatal extension II scores, and higher proportion of adverse outcomes. When comparing preterm adequate-for-gestational-age infants with SGA infants with good prognosis, those with SGA had more mature and continuous aEEG patterns. Low margin amplitude depression was not as severe in these patients, and a higher proportion of these patients developed sleep-wake cycles.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study suggest that SGA infants with a good prognosis have a more mature aEEG pattern than preterm adequate-for-gestational-age patients with the same outcome. These findings support the brain sparing theory in SGA infants.

Trends in the neurodevelopmental outcomes among preterm infants from 2003-2012: a retrospective cohort study in Japan

OBJECTIVES

To determine the trends in mortality and the prevalence of abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes among preterm Japanese infants.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective multicenter cohort of 30,793 preterm infants born at a gestational age ≤32 weeks, between 2003 and 2012, in the Neonatal Research Network, Japan, was evaluated in the primary analysis. Finally, 13,661 infants were followed-up until 3 years of age and evaluated for neurodevelopmental outcomes, including cerebral palsy (CP), home oxygen therapy (HOT) use, and visual, hearing, and cognitive impairments. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk-adjusted trends in mortality and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.

RESULTS

The trends in overall mortality (adjusted odds ratio, (AOR): 0.92; 95% confidence interval, (CI): 0.89-0.94), the prevalence of CP (AOR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98), HOT use (AOR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.75-0.93), and visual (AOR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.81-0.87) and hearing impairments (AOR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.63-0.97) showed a significant downward trend, while cognitive impairment showed no significant changes (AOR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.99-1.05). Intravenous hyperalimentation was significantly correlated with visual impairment (AOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.59-0.91). Early establishment of enteral feeding was associated with improved long-term outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Mortality was improved, and this did not lead to increased risks for abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes. Nutritional support might improve long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Infants Born at <29 Weeks of Gestation Admitted to Canadian Neonatal Intensive Care Units Based on Location of Birth

OBJECTIVE

To compare mortality and neurodevelopmental outcomes of outborn and inborn preterm infants born at <29 weeks of gestation admitted to Canadian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

STUDY DESIGN

Data were obtained from the Canadian Neonatal Network and Canadian Neonatal Follow-up Network databases for infants born at <29 weeks of gestation admitted to NICUs from April 2009 to September 2011. Rates of death, severe neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI), and overall NDI were compared between outborn and inborn infants at 18-21 months of age, corrected for prematurity.

RESULTS

Of 2951 eligible infants, 473 (16%) were outborn. Mean birth weight (940 ± 278 g vs 897 + 237 g), rates of treatment with antenatal steroids (53.9% vs 92.9%), birth weight small for gestational age (5.3% vs 9.4%), and maternal college education (43.7% vs 53.9%) differed between outborn and inborn infants, respectively (all P values <.01). The median Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology-II (P = .01) and Apgar score at 5 minutes (P < .01) were higher in inborn infants. Severe brain injury was more common among outborn infants (25.3% vs 14.7%, P < .01). Outborn infants had higher odds of death or severe NDI (aOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.2), death or overall NDI (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.2), death (aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.5-3.0), and cerebral palsy (aOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.3).

CONCLUSIONS

The composite outcomes of death or neurodevelopmental impairment were significantly higher in outborn compared with inborn infants admitted to Canadian NICUs. Adverse outcomes were mainly attributed to increased mortality and cerebral palsy in outborn neonates.

Developmental Disability at School Age and Difficulty Obtaining Follow-up Data

BACKGROUND

The relationship of developmental disability rates with difficulty obtaining follow-up data is unclear. With this study, we aimed to determine if children who attended research follow-up assessments with more difficulty had more disability at school age, compared with those who attended with less difficulty, and to establish the relationship between follow-up and disability rates.

METHODS

Two groups, comprising 219 consecutive survivors born at <28 weeks' gestation or at <1000 g birth weight in the state of Victoria, Australia, in 2005, and 218 term-born, normal birth weight controls were assessed at 8 years of age for neurodevelopmental disability (any of IQ <-1 SD, cerebral palsy, blindness, or deafness). Children were classified as either more or less difficult to get to attend by research nurses involved in the study.

RESULTS

The follow-up rate was 87% for both groups. Overall, children who attended with more difficulty had higher rates of neurodevelopmental disability (42%; 19 of 45) than those who attended with less difficulty (20%; 66 of 328) (odds ratio: 3.09, 95% confidence interval: 1.58 to 6.01; P = .001). As the follow-up rate rose among the 3 individual hospitals involved in the assessments, so did the rate of neurodevelopmental disability (P = .025).

CONCLUSIONS

Children who attend with more difficulty have higher rates of neurodevelopmental disability at school age than those who attend with less difficulty, and disability rates rise with higher follow-up rates. Rates of neurodevelopmental disability will be underestimated if researchers are not persistent enough to obtain high follow-up rates.

Survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely preterm infants 22-24 weeks of gestation born in Western Australia

AIM

The management of births at borderline viability continues to present dilemmas for health professionals and parents. The aim of the study was to review local outcomes of infants born between 22 and 24 weeks of gestation between 2004 and 2010 in Western Australia (WA) to aid perinatal counselling.

METHODS

Survival data for the study were sourced retrospectively from the Neonatal Clinical Care Unit and Department of Health records of births in WA. Neurodevelopmental follow-up outcomes were assessed using the most recent standardised assessment (Griffiths, Bayley-III and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, 3rd Ed) and medical examination of infants/children 12 months to 8 years from follow-up clinic appointments.

RESULTS

At these gestations, 159 survivors represented 72% of neonatal intensive care unit admissions, 53% of WA live births and 26% of WA live and still births; 5% of live births survived at 22 weeks, 46% at 23 weeks and 77% at 24 weeks. Of the 14 outborn/retrieved infants, 4 survived (29%). At a median age of 59 months, disabilities were severe in 13% of children (22-23w = 19%; 24w = 11%). The median test quotient was 90. Moderate and severe cognitive disability was found in 16%, cerebral palsy was found in 7% (n = 11), and 55% of children were free from impairment as defined in this study.

CONCLUSION

At these gestations, survival figures varied markedly with the chosen population denominator. Regional data are essential for valid population comparison. While many developmental difficulties occurred in these children, 78% were free from moderate or severe impairment at ages 3-5 years.

Follow-up at two years of age and early predictors of non-compliance in a cohort of very preterm infants

AIM

To examine the rates of follow-up at two years of age and perinatal factors associated with non-compliance in an observational population-based cohort of very preterm children enrolled in a routine follow-up program.

METHOD

Data review of infants born between 2008 and 2012 in the Observatoire de La Grande Prématurité, Reunion Island cohort. All singletons born alive before 33weeks of gestational age and resident on the island at two years of age were included. Patients were considered compliant if they were timely evaluated between 20-28months of age, or non-compliant if they were not evaluated or evaluated after 28months of age.

RESULTS

Of the 802 survivors (mean gestational age of 30.3±2.0months, mean birthweight of 1364±396g), 468 (58.4%) were examined between 20-28months, 119 (14.8%) after 28months of age, and 215 (26.8%) were never evaluated, respectively. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with non-compliance were higher parity (>2), past history of preterm delivery, maternal diabetes (preexisting or gestational), appropriate for gestational status, and centre of birth.

CONCLUSION

Sustainable follow-up of vulnerable neonates remains a challenge in clinical practice. Early predictors of non-compliance can be used to define individualized and local follow-up strategies in these infants at high risk for developmental disabilities.

Very low birth weight infants in China: the predictive value of the motor repertoire at 3 to 5months for the motor performance at 12months

BACKGROUND

Studies on motor performance and its early markers are rare in China, especially in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

OBJECTIVE

Apart from the assessment of the inter-scorer agreement, we aimed to analyze to what extent the motor repertoire at 10 to 18weeks postterm was related to neonatal complications, and gross and fine motor performance at 12months after term.

STUDY DESIGN

Exploratory prospective study.

SUBJECTS

Seventy-four VLBW infants (58 males; mean gestational age=29weeks; mean birth weight=1252g).

METHOD

Five-minute video recordings were performed at 10 to 18weeks after term; fidgety movements and the concurrent motor patterns (resulting in a motor optimality score) were assessed according to the Prechtl general movements assessment (GMA). The gross and fine motor performance was assessed by means of the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, second edition, at 12months.

RESULTS

Reliability was excellent. Pneumonia was associated with absent fidgety movements; the motor optimality score was lower in infants with pneumonia and/or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Both absent fidgety movements and a lower motor optimality score were associated with a poor or very poor gross and fine motor performance at the 12-month-assessment.

CONCLUSION

Both the assessment of fidgety movements and the evaluation of the concurrent motor repertoire contribute significantly to an identification of VLBW children with a poor gross and fine motor outcome at 12months. The results of this study document the need for an early identification of infants at high risk for a poor motor performance.

Risk of neurodevelopmental impairment for outborn extremely preterm infants in an Australian regional network

OBJECTIVE

To compare neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2-3 years in extremely premature outborn and inborn infants.

DESIGN

Population-based retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Geographically defined area of New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) served by a network of 10 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

PATIENTS

All premature infants <29 weeks gestation born between 1998 and 2004 in the setting.

INTERVENTION

At 2-3 years, corrected age, 1473 children were assessed with either the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales (GMDS) or the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID-II).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Moderate/severe functional disability (FD) defined as: developmental delay (GMDS general quotient (GQ) or BSID-II mental developmental index (MDI)) > 2 standard deviations (SD) below the mean; cerebral palsy (CP) requiring aids; sensorineural or conductive deafness (requiring amplification); or bilateral blindness (visual acuity <6/60 in better eye).

RESULTS

At 2-3 years, moderate/severe functional disability does not appear to be significantly different between outborn and inborn infants (adjusted OR 0.782; 95% CI 0.424-1.443). However, there were a significant number of outborn infants lost to follow up (23.3% versus 42.9%).

CONCLUSION

In this cohort, at 2-3 years follow up neurodevelopmental outcome does not appear to be significantly different between outborn and inborn infants. These results should be interpreted with caution given the limitation of this study.

Improved survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes among extremely premature infants born near the limit of viability

BACKGROUND

Infants born near the limit of viability are at high risk for death or adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. It is unclear whether these outcomes have improved over the past 15 years.

AIM

To determine if death and neurodevelopmental impairment have declined over the past 15 years in infants born at 22 to 24 weeks' gestation.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SUBJECTS

We identified infants born at 22 to 24 weeks' gestation in our center in two epochs: 1998-2004 (Epoch 1) and 2005-2011 (Epoch 2).

OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome, death or neurodevelopmental impairment, was evaluated at 17-25 months' corrected gestational age with neurologic exams and Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Perinatal characteristics, major morbidities, and outcomes were compared between epochs.

RESULTS

Birth weight and gestational age were similar between 170 infants in Epoch 1 and 187 infants in Epoch 2. Mortality was significantly lower in Epoch 2, 55% vs. 42% (p=0.02). Among surviving infants, late-onset sepsis (p<0.01), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (p<0.01), and surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (p=0.04) were less common in Epoch 2. Neurodevelopmental impairment among surviving infants declined from 68% in Epoch 1 to 47% in Epoch 2, p=0.02. Odds of death or NDI were significantly lower in Epoch 2 vs. Epoch 1, OR=0.31 (95% confidence interval; 0.16, 0.58).

CONCLUSION

Risk of death or neurodevelopmental impairment decreased over time in infants born at 22 to 24 weeks' gestation.

Thinner Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer in Very Preterm Versus Term Infants and Relationship to Brain Anatomy and Neurodevelopment

PURPOSE

To assess retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness at term-equivalent age in very preterm (<32 weeks gestational age) vs term-born infant cohorts, and compare very preterm infant RNFL thickness with brain anatomy and neurodevelopment.

DESIGN

Cohort study.

METHODS

RNFL was semi-automatically segmented (1 eye per infant) in 57 very preterm and 50 term infants with adequate images from bedside portable, handheld spectral-domain optical coherence tomography imaging at 37-42 weeks postmenstrual age. Mean RNFL thickness was calculated for the papillomacular bundle (-15 degrees to +15 degrees) and temporal quadrant (-45 degrees to +45 degrees) relative to the fovea-optic nerve axis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans clinically obtained in 26 very preterm infants were scored for global structural abnormalities by an expert masked to data except for age. Cognitive, language, and motor skills were assessed in 33 of the very preterm infants at 18-24 months corrected age.

RESULTS

RNFL was thinner for very preterm vs term infants at the papillomacular bundle ([mean ± standard deviation] 61 ± 17 vs 72 ± 13 μm, P < .001) and temporal quadrant (72 ± 21 vs 82 ± 16 μm, P = .005). In very preterm infants, thinner papillomacular bundle RNFL correlated with higher global brain MRI lesion burden index (R(2) = 0.35, P = .001) and lower cognitive (R(2) = 0.18, P = .01) and motor (R(2) = 0.17, P = .02) scores. Relationships were similar for temporal quadrant.

CONCLUSIONS

Thinner RNFL in very preterm infants relative to term-born infants may relate to brain structure and neurodevelopment.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Premature Infants Treated for Patent Ductus Arteriosus: A Population-Based Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To compare neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely preterm infants diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) who were treated medically or surgically and those who were not diagnosed with PDA or who did not undergo treatment for PDA.

STUDY DESIGN

This retrospective population-based cohort study used data from a geographically defined area in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory served by a network of 10 neonatal intensive care units. Patients included all preterm infants born at <29 completed weeks of gestation between 1998 and 2004. Moderate/severe functional disability at 2-3 years corrected age was defined as developmental delay, cerebral palsy requiring aids, sensorineural or conductive deafness (requiring bilateral hearing aids or cochlear implant), or bilateral blindness (best visual acuity of <6/60).

RESULTS

Follow-up information at age 2-3 years was available for 1473 infants (74.8%). Compared with infants not diagnosed with a PDA or who did not receive PDA treatment for PDA, those with medically treated PDA (aOR, 1.622; 95% CI, 1.199-2.196) and those with surgically treated PDA (aOR, 2.001; 95% CI, 1.126-3.556) were at significantly greater risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 2-3 years.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that treatment for PDA may be associated with a greater risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome at age 2-3 years. This was particularly so among infants born at <25 weeks gestation. These results may support permissive tolerance of PDAs; however, reasons for this association remain to be elucidated through carefully designed prospective trials.

Intrauterine Growth Restriction, Head Size at Birth, and Outcome in Very Preterm Infants

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether small head circumference (HC) or birth weight (BW) or both are associated with neonatal and long-term neurologic outcome in very preterm infants.

STUDY DESIGN

All 2442 live births from the 1997 Epipage study between 26 and 32 weeks of gestational age in 9 regions of France were analyzed. A total of 1395 were tested at age 5 years for cognitive performance and 1315 with school performance reports at age 8 years. Symmetric growth restriction (SGR) was defined by HC and BW <20th percentile and in the same percentile range, and asymmetric growth restriction by at least 1 of HC and BW <20th percentile and the other in a higher decile range. There were 2 forms of asymmetric growth restriction: head growth restriction (HGR) and weight growth restriction (WGR). Appropriate for gestational age was defined by both BW and HC >20th percentile.

RESULTS

Compared with appropriate for gestational age, SGR was significantly associated with neonatal mortality (aOR 2.99, 95% CI 1.78-5.03), moderate and severe cognitive deficiency (aOR 1.65, 95% CI 1.01-2.71 and aOR 2.61, 95% CI 1.46-4.68, respectively), and poor school performance (aOR 1.79; 95% CI 1.13-2.83). HGR was significantly associated with severe cognitive deficiency (aOR 2.07, 95% CI 1.15-3.74). WGR was not significantly associated with cognitive or school performance despite higher rates of neonatal morbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

SGR in preterm infants was associated with neonatal mortality and impaired cognitive and school performance. The outcome of asymmetric growth restriction differed according to HC. HGR was associated with impaired cognitive function; WGR was not.

Mothers' and health care providers' perspectives of the barriers and facilitators to attendance at Canadian neonatal follow-up programs

BACKGROUND

Despite the benefits of Neonatal Follow-Up (NFU) programs for infants at risk for developmental problems subsequent to preterm birth, non-attendance continues to be a problem within Canada and beyond. This study investigated the barriers and facilitators to attendance at Canadian NFU programs from mothers' and health care providers' (HCP) perspectives.

METHODS

In this multi-site qualitative descriptive study, we conducted semi-structured individual interviews with 12 mothers, six from each of two NFU programs; and focus groups with 20 HCPs from nine NFU programs. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed and then subjected to thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The predominant barriers represented a complex interplay of cumulative factors: mothers' isolation and feeling overwhelmed, with limited support, experiencing difficulty attending because of limited resources, who viewed NFU as not needed until problems arose for their child. Other barriers included vulnerability and fear of bad news. Mothers reported the need to protect their vulnerable child from risks, whereas HCPs reported creating vulnerability by monitoring the child's development over time. HCPs perceived fear of bad news as a barrier, whereas mothers viewed that impending bad news increased their need to attend to address the issue. The predominant facilitators were support, family centred-care and mothers with adequate resources.

CONCLUSIONS

Attendance is most problematic for mothers with limited support, capacity and resources. First and foremost, targeted approaches to NFU service provision are needed to address the cumulative barriers and improve experiences for mothers who find it difficult to attend NFU. A continuous relationship with a single point of contact is needed and merits further investigation - a provider who works across the traditional silos of neonatal intensive care, NFU and community services, minimizes duplication and navigates transitions.

Neurodevelopmental outcome of extremely preterm infants born to rural and urban residents' mothers in Australia

BACKGROUND

Rural and remote residents in Australia have long experienced unfavourable health outcomes compared to their urban counterparts.

AIMS

To study neurodevelopmental outcome at 2-3 years of age, corrected for prematurity of extremely preterm infants admitted to a regional neonatal Australian network from rural and urban regions (based on usual location of maternal residence).

METHODS

A multicenter population-based cohort study in which surviving urban and rural infants <29 weeks of gestation born between 1998 and 2004 underwent neurodevelopmental assessment at 2-3 years of age, corrected for prematurity by a developmental assessment team. Moderate/severe functional disability was defined as developmental delay (GQ or MDI>2 SD below the mean), cerebral palsy (aided for walking), sensorineural or conductive deafness (requiring amplification), and bilateral blindness (visual acuity <6/60 in the better eye).

RESULTS

Of the 1970 infants alive at 2-3 years of age, 268 (63.8%) rural and 1205 (77.7%) urban infants were evaluated. Infants lost to follow-up were of slightly higher gestational age and birth weight. Both rural and urban assessed groups were comparable in gestation and birth weight percentile. In comparison to their urban counterparts, the rural group had more outborn infants (19.8% vs. 4.6%, p<0.001). They, however, did not have an increased risk of moderate/severe functional disability (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.52-1.23, p=0.176). This finding was not significantly altered by limiting the analysis to different gestational ages.

CONCLUSION

Extremely premature surviving young children from rural areas of residence do not seem to have an increased risk for moderate/severe functional disability.

Poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes associated with cystoid macular edema identified in preterm infants in the intensive care nursery

PURPOSE

To evaluate the association between cystoid macular edema (CME) observed in very preterm infants and developmental outcomes at 18 to 24 months corrected age.

DESIGN

Cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Infants born at or less than 1500 g or at or less than 30 weeks postmenstrual age who underwent screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in an intensive care nursery.

METHODS

Bedside handheld spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT; Envisu, Bioptigen, Inc, Research Triangle Park, NC) imaging was obtained from preterm infants who were being screened for ROP and graded for presence of CME, central foveal thickness (CFT), inner nuclear layer thickness, and foveal-to-parafoveal thickness ratio. At 18 to 24 months corrected age, the children were assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Scores on the Bayley cognitive, language, and motor subscales.

RESULTS

Among 77 children with SD OCT imaging, 53 were evaluated with the Bayley Scales. Compared with children who did not have CME as infants (n=22), the mean score for children who had CME (n=31) was 7.3 points (95% confidence interval [CI], -15.5 to 0.9; P=0.08) lower on the cognitive subscale, 14.1 points (95% CI, -22.7 to -5.5; P=0.002) lower for the language subscale, and 11.5 points (95% CI, -21.6 to -1.3; P=0.03) lower for the motor subscale. Differences were maintained after adjusting for gestational age and birth weight. Severity of CME, as assessed by foveal-to-parafoveal thickness ratio, within the CME group correlated with poorer cognitive (R2=0.16, P=0.03) and motor (R2=0.15, P=0.03) development.

CONCLUSIONS

Cystoid macular edema observed on SD OCT in very preterm infants screened for ROP is associated with poorer language and motor skills at 18 to 24 months corrected age. Evaluation of the retina with SD-OCT may serve as an indicator of neurodevelopmental health for very preterm infants in the intensive care nursery.

Population study of neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely premature infants admitted after office hours

AIM

The aim of the study was to compare neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely preterm infants admitted during (OH) and after (AH) office hours.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory Neonatal Intensive Care Units' (NICUs) Data Collection of all infants <29 weeks gestation admitted to New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory NICUs between January 1998 and December 2004 was conducted. The primary outcome was moderate/severe functional disability (FD) at 2-3 years follow-up defined as developmental delay (Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales general quotient or Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II mental developmental index >2 standard deviations below the mean), cerebral palsy (unable to walk without aids), deafness (requiring bilateral hearing aids) or blindness (visual acuity <6/60 in the better eye).

RESULTS

Mortality and age at follow-up were comparable between the AH and OH groups. Developmental outcome was evaluated in 972 (74.9%) infants admitted during AH and 501 (74.6%) admitted during OH. FD was not significantly different between the AH and OH groups (17.1% vs. 14.8%, adjusted odds ratio 1.131, 95% confidence interval 1.131 (0.839-1.523), P = 0.420). There were no significant differences between AH and OH infants with cerebral palsy (9.6% vs. 7.6%), developmental delay (5.4% vs. 5.0%) or any other component of FD.

CONCLUSION

There is little circadian variation in mortality and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in an NICU network with the current model of after hours staffing and support, and sharing of NICU workload within a network.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants born prematurely

Long-term follow-up of infants born prematurely is necessary to determine neurodevelopmental outcomes, particularly with the expansion of interest from major disabilities to high prevalence/low severity dysfunctions. Models of pathogenesis include changes due to developmental disruptions and to injury, the magnitude and type of change influenced by the infant's age, and central nervous system recovery and reorganization. Alterations in neurogenesis, migration, myelination, cell death, and synaptogenesis occur even in the absence of insult. Despite increased knowledge regarding these processes, the functional significance of brain abnormalities is unclear. Because of methodologic problems in follow-up studies, it is difficult to characterize outcome definitively. Nonetheless, an acceptable degree of agreement across studies is found with regard to specific neurodevelopmental outcomes: motor/neurologic function, visuomotor integrative skills, IQ, academic achievement, language, executive function, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder/behavioral issues. In general, children born prematurely have more problems in these areas than do their normal birth weight counterparts. Suggestions for improved analyses and clarification of outcomes include use of cluster analysis, structural equation modeling, growth curve analysis, developmental epidemiologic approaches, and better control of background variables using risk indexes and factor scores. Better assessment techniques measuring functions documented to be at higher risk of problems are discussed.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely preterm infants

Survival of extremely preterm infants has improved since 2000. Neurodevelopmental impairment rates remain high at the limits of viability. Although improved survival and neurodevelopmental impairment rates are associated with higher gestational age and more recent year of birth, significant variability in findings among geographic areas and networks is evident, and seems related to differences in population, management style, regional protocols, definitions, and outcome assessments. Outcome studies during adolescence and young adult age are needed to determine the long-term impact of extremely preterm birth.

Randomized controlled trials in very preterm infants: does inclusion in the study result in any long-term benefit?

BACKGROUND

Since the introduction of randomized controlled trials (RCT) in clinical research, there has been discussion of whether enrolled patients have worse or better outcomes than comparable non-participants.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether very preterm infants randomized to a placebo group in an RCT have equivalent neurodevelopmental outcomes to infants who were eligible but not randomized (eligible NR).

METHODS

In the course of an RCT investigating the neuroprotective effect of early high-dose erythropoietin on the neurodevelopment of very preterm infants, the outcome data of 72 infants randomized to placebo were retrospectively compared with those of 108 eligible NR infants. Our primary outcome measures were the mental (MDI) and psychomotor (PDI) developmental indices of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II at 24 months of corrected age. The outcomes of the two groups were considered equivalent if the confidence intervals (CIs) of their mean differences fitted within our ±5-point margin of equivalence.

RESULTS

Except for a higher socioeconomic status of the trial participants, both groups were balanced for most perinatal variables. The mean difference (90% CI) between the eligible NR and the placebo group was -2.1 (-6.1 and 1.9) points for the MDI and -0.8 (-4.2 and 2.5) points for the PDI. After adjusting for the socioeconomic status, maternal age and child age at follow-up, the mean difference for the MDI was -0.5 (-4.3 and 3.4) points.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the participation of very preterm infants in an RCT is associated with equivalent long-term outcomes compared to non-participating infants.

Histological characteristics of the fetal inflammatory response associated with neurodevelopmental impairment and death in extremely preterm infants

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that increasing severity of the fetal inflammatory response (FIR) would have a dose-dependent relationship with severe neurodevelopmental impairment or death in extremely preterm infants.

STUDY DESIGN

We report 347 infants of 23-28 weeks gestational age admitted to a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit between 2006 and 2008. The primary outcome was death or neurodevelopmental impairment at the 18- to 22-month follow-up. Exposure status was defined by increasing stage of funisitis (stage 1, phlebitis; stage 2, arteritis with or without phlebitis; stage 3, subacute necrotizing funisitis) and severity of chorionic plate vasculitis (inflammation with or without thrombosis).

RESULTS

A FIR was detected in 110 placentas (32%). The rate of severe neurodevelopmental impairment/death was higher in infants with subacute necrotizing funisitis compared with infants without placental/umbilical cord inflammation (60% vs 35%; P < .05). Among infants with stage 1 or 2 funisitis, the presence of any chorionic vasculitis was associated with a higher rate of severe neurodevelopmental impairment/death (47% vs 23%; P < .05). After adjustment for confounding factors, only subacute necrotizing funisitis (risk ratio, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.04-3.35; P = .04) and chorionic plate vasculitis with thrombosis (risk ratio, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.10-4.46; P = .03) were associated with severe neurodevelopmental impairment/death.

CONCLUSION

Severe FIR, characterized by subacute necrotizing funisitis and severe chorionic plate vasculitis with thrombosis, is associated with severe neurodevelopmental impairment/death in preterm infants.

Factors associated with neonatal intensive care follow-up appointment compliance

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

Our goal was to identify factors that affect neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) follow-up appointment compliance. Compliant and noncompliant infants discharged from the NICU over 1 year and scheduled for follow-up (133) were compared retrospectively; a prospective telephone survey of noncompliant families was also undertaken.

RESULTS

Maternal drug use (odds ratio [OR] = 0.049, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.005-0.506), multiple gestation pregnancy (OR = 0.163, 95% CI = 0.050-0.533), male sex (OR = 0.308, 95% CI = 0.112-0.850), and greater distance from the hospital (OR = 0.987, 95% CI = 0.976-0.999) were independently associated with lower appointment compliance. A greater number of days on oxygen was associated with greater odds of compliance (OR = 1.057, 95% CI = 0.976-0.999). Shorter NICU stays (P = .047) and less chronic lung disease (P = .026) were significantly associated with noncompliance by bivariate analysis only. Distance from the hospital and travel expense were the most often self-cited reasons for appointment noncompliance.

CONCLUSION

Understanding factors associated with NICU follow-up noncompliance is a starting point for providing targeted intervention.

Early detection of minor neurodevelopmental dysfunctions at age 6 months in prematurely born neonates

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the 6-month neurodevelopmental outcomes of prematurely born neonates and find the determining neonatal factors of minor neurological dysfunctions (MNDs).

STUDY DESIGN

We examined data collected prospectively on 151 infants born before 37th week of gestation in 2009-2010 who were assessed at 6 months corrected age with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-2nd Edition (BSID-II) and the Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST).

RESULTS

Of 151 neonates born before 37 weeks, 20 (13.2%) had MNDs at 6 months corrected age. These proportions were 21.6%, 13.2%, and 8.2% for neonates born before 28 weeks, 29 weeks to 32 weeks, and 33 weeks to 36 weeks, respectively. Half of neonates with MNDs have a birth body weight of less than 1000g. BSID-II and DDST are highly correlated in assessing the MNDs of premature neonates at 6 months corrected age. MND was independently associated with postnatal corticosteroid use (odds ratio [OR], 11.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9-66.0, P=0.008) and cholestasis (OR, 6.2; 95% CI, 1.16-33.1, P=0.033).

CONCLUSIONS

Premature neonates, even those born at 33 to 36 weeks, are found to have MNDs as early as 6 months corrected age by BSID-II and DDST, with risk increasing as gestation decreases.

Birth outcomes related to informal e-waste recycling in Guiyu, China

To assess the impact of exposure to informal e-waste recycling on birth outcomes. We compared record-based birth outcomes (n=24,493) and levels of cord blood lead (CBPb) (n=531) in Guiyu and a control area in Xiamen. Guiyu births showed significantly higher rates of adverse birth outcomes including stillbirth (4.72% vs. 1.03%), low birth weight (6.12% vs. 4.12%), term low birth weight (3.40% vs. 1.57%), and lower Apgar scores (9.6 vs. 9.9) and mean birth weight (3168 g vs. 3258 g) than did births from the control site, all P<0.01. Regression analysis showed Guiyu had about four times higher risk of stillbirth compared with Xiamen. The median level of CBPb was much higher in neonates of Guiyu than those in the control group (10.78 μg/dL vs. 2.25 μg/dL). Prenatal exposure to informal e-waste recycling related to high rate of adverse birth outcomes, lower Apgar scores and unsafe lead level in cord blood.

Outcomes of very-low-birthweight infants at 3 years of age born in 2003-2004 in Japan

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to describe and compare neurodevelopmental outcomes with birthweight (BW) groups at 250-g intervals of very-low-birthweight (VLBW) infants at 3 years of age in a multicenter cohort in Japan.

METHODS

A total of 3104 VLBW infants born in 2003 and 2004 registered in a NICU-network database were followed in the study. Neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) was defined as any of the following impairments: cerebral palsy, unilateral or bilateral blindness, severe hearing impairment, or developmental delay; a developmental quotient (DQ) <70 measured using the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development test or judged by physicians in infants without the test.

RESULTS

A total of 257 infants died and follow-up data were obtained from 1826 infants. Of the 1826 infants, 155 (8.5%) had cerebral palsy, 25 (1.4%) had visual impairment, and 12 (0.7%) had hearing impairment. Of the 1197 infants in whom DQ was measured, 184 (15.4%) had DQ < 70. The proportion of NDI in the evaluated infants was 19.2% (n= 350), ranging from 11.9% (BW 1251-1500 g) to 42.0% (BW ≤ 500 g). Odds ratios (95%CI) of NDI or death against the group BW 1251-1500 g were 20.62 (13.29-31.97) in BW ≤ 500 g, 7.25 (5.45-9.64) in BW 501-750 g, 2.85 (2.12-3.82) in BW 751-1000 g and 1.18 (0.85-1.64) in BW 1001-1250 g.

CONCLUSION

The increasing proportion of NDI or death, an indicator of adverse outcome, was associated with decrement in the BW of the groups. Although we have to consider a bias due to loss of follow-up data, the incidence of NDI was similar to previous overseas cohort studies despite the higher survival proportion in our study.

Neonatal correlates of adverse outcomes in very low-birthweight infants in the NICU Network

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to explore the relationships among neonatal morbidity, interventions and death or adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in very low-birthweight (VLBW) infants.

METHODS

Subjects were infants with birthweight ≤ 1500 g who were cared for in the tertiary neonatal intensive care units in Japan. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of neonatal factors for death or cerebral palsy (CP) and death or developmental delay (developmental quotient <70 or delay judged by physicians) at 3 years of age after adjusting for biological and prenatal variables.

RESULTS

Of the 3104 subjects, 257 died and 1826 were evaluated at 3 years of age. Cystic periventricular leukomalacia (PVL; OR, 23.9; 95%CI: 11.0-51.7), gastrointestinal perforation (OR, 8.5; 95%CI: 2.8-25.4), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) grade 3 or 4 (OR, 3.1; 95%CI: 1.3-7.2) and sepsis (OR, 2.6; 95%CI: 1.4-4.8) were neonatal factors significantly associated with an increased risk of death or CP. Significant correlates with death or developmental delay were cystic PVL (OR, 7.9; 95%CI: 3.7-16.8), gastrointestinal perforation (OR, 6.3; 95%CI: 1.9-20.8), sepsis (OR, 2.8; 95%CI: 1.6-4.8), IVH grade 3 or 4 (OR, 2.6; 95%CI: 1.2-5.7), chronic lung disease at 36 weeks of corrected gestational age (OR, 1.6; 95%CI: 1.1-2.4) and treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP; OR, 1.5; 95%CI: 1.0-2.3).

CONCLUSION

Cystic PVL, gastrointestinal perforation, IVH and sepsis correlated with both death or CP and death or developmental delay in VLBW infants. Chronic lung disease at 36 weeks and treatment for ROP were associated with death or developmental delay, but not with death or CP.

Neurological and developmental disabilities in ELBW and VLBW: follow-up at 2 years of age

OBJECTIVE

To establish the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disabilities among premature infants born in western Poland.

STUDY DESIGN

From 1999 to 2003, 640 extremely low birth weight (ELBW) and 777 very low birth weight (VLBW) infants were admitted to the tertiary care center in Poland. Discharged home were 302 and 671 of them, respectively. At 2 years corrected age, 165 ELBW and 285 VLBW children were diagnosed with neurosensory abnormality including cerebral palsy (CP) and evaluated with Bayley Scales of Infant Development II.

RESULT

Mental developmental index (MDI) score <70 was recorded in 104 children (23.1%). There were 75 (16.7%) cases of CP, 8 (1.7%) deafness/hearing loss, 22 (4.8%) blindness and 14 (3.1%) of epilepsy. Patients with abnormal neurosensory status had significantly lower MDI compared with those with normal development (83.8±9 vs 54.7±10). Severe intraventricular haemorrhage, periventricular leucomalacia, ventricular dilatation and hydrocephalus were the most important risk factors for neurologic abnormality.

CONCLUSION

Severe disability is more common among ELBW compared with VLBW infants and remains a major challenge for health-care providers.

Newborn care training of midwives and neonatal and perinatal mortality rates in a developing country

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that 2 training programs would reduce incrementally 7-day neonatal mortality rates for low-risk institutional deliveries.

METHODS

Using a train-the-trainer model, certified research midwives sequentially trained the midwives who performed deliveries in low-risk, first-level, urban, community health clinics in 2 cities in Zambia in the protocol and data collection, in the World Health Organization Essential Newborn Care (ENC) course (universal precautions and cleanliness, routine neonatal care, resuscitation, thermoregulation, breastfeeding, kangaroo care, care of small infants, and common illnesses), and in the American Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal Resuscitation Program (in-depth basic resuscitation). Data were collected during 3 periods, after implementation of each training course.

RESULTS

A total of 71 689 neonates were enrolled in the 3 study periods. All-cause, 7-day neonatal mortality rates decreased from 11.5 deaths per 1000 live births to 6.8 deaths per 1000 live births after ENC training (relative risk: 0.59 [95% confidence interval: 0.48-0.77]; P < .001), because of decreases in rates of deaths attributable to birth asphyxia and infection. Perinatal mortality rates but not stillbirth rates decreased. The 7-day neonatal mortality rate was decreased further after Neonatal Resuscitation Program training, after correction for loss to follow-up monitoring.

CONCLUSIONS

ENC training for midwives reduced 7-day neonatal mortality rates in low-risk clinics. Additional in-depth basic training in neonatal resuscitation may reduce mortality rates further.

Neurodevelopmental outcome of extremely low birth weight infants from the Vermont Oxford network: 1998-2003

BACKGROUND

Physicians and parents face significant uncertainties when making care decisions for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. Many published estimates of death and developmental outcome are from well-funded university programs and may not reflect outcomes of infants from a variety of settings. The best estimates of the probabilities of death and severe disability combine local experience and published data.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the neurodevelopmental outcome of ELBW infants from centers of the ELBW Infant Follow-Up Group of the Vermont Oxford Network (VON) and to identify characteristics associated with severe disability.

METHODS

Predefined measures of living situation, health and developmental outcome were collected at 18-24 months' corrected age for infants born from July 1, 1998 to December 31, 2003 with birth weights of 401-1,000 g at 33 North American VON centers. Logistic regression was used to identify characteristics associated with severe disability.

RESULTS

6,198 ELBW infants were born and survived until hospital discharge; by the time of follow-up, 88 infants (1.4%) had died. Of the remaining 6,110 infants, 3,567 (58.4%) were evaluated. Severe disability occurred in 34% of the assessed infants. Multivariate logistic regression suggested cystic periventricular leukomalacia, congenital malformation and severe intraventricular hemorrhage were the characteristics most highly associated with severe disability. There were marked variations among the follow-up clinics in the attrition rate.

CONCLUSION

ELBW infants completing evaluation were at a high risk for severe disability. There are considerable differences among participating centers in attrition at follow-up. Further resources will be needed to study the effect of follow-up care for this group of infants.

Seven-month developmental outcomes of very low birth weight infants enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of delayed versus immediate cord clamping

OBJECTIVE

The results from our previous trial revealed that infants with delayed cord clamping (DCC) had significantly lesser intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and late-onset sepsis (LOS) than infants with immediate cord clamping (ICC). A priori, we hypothesized that infants with DCC would have better motor function by 7 months corrected age.

STUDY DESIGN

Infants between 24 and 31 weeks were randomized to ICC or DCC and follow-up evaluation was completed at 7 months corrected age.

RESULT

We found no differences in the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) scores between the DCC and ICC groups. However, a regression model of effects of DCC on motor scores controlling for gestational age, IVH, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis and male gender suggested higher motor scores of male infants with DCC.

CONCLUSION

DCC at birth seems to be protective of very low birth weight male infants against motor disability at 7 months corrected age.