Abstract
Objective This study aims to examine the association between the absence of neonatal comorbidities,
as well as the presence of indicators of clinical progress with good neurodevelopmental
(ND) outcomes, at 18 months corrected age in a national cohort of preterm infants
of < 29 weeks' gestation.
Design Study subjects included preterm infants (< 29 weeks' gestation) born in 2010 and
2011. Univariate analyses were conducted and regression estimates were calculated
for variables where odds of a good ND outcome, composite scores ≥ 100 in three domains
(cognitive, language, and motor) in the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development,
3rd ed. (Bayley-III), were estimated.
Results In total, 2,069 infants were included in the analyses. For all three domains evaluated
on the Bayley-III, cognition, language, motor, respectively, the absence of three
major morbidities was associated with a score ≥ 100: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing
enterocolitis, and severe neurological injury. Less time spent on positive pressure
support and on total parenteral nutrition administration were associated with a positive
motor outcome and showed a positive trend for both cognition and language scores.
Conclusion The absence of neonatal comorbidities was associated with good ND outcome. Less time
spent on positive pressure support and parenteral nutrition may also contribute to
a good ND outcome.
Keywords
good neurodevelopmental outcomes - absence of severe morbidities - very preterm infants
- clinical care
