Impact of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, brain injury, necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity and sepsis on neurodevelopmental outcomes in premature infants.

BACKGROUND

BPD, ROP, brain injury (severe IVH or PVL), NEC, and sepsis are independently associated with neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI).

OBJECTIVES

Evaluate the contribution of BPD, ROP, brain injury, NEC, and sepsis, individually or in combination with BPD, on NDI at 18-24 months corrected age (CA).

METHODS

Demographic, NICU, and follow-up data from infants born ≤32 weeks gestational age with a birth weight <1500 grams were collected. NDI at 18-24 months CA was defined as blindness, deafness, or a composite score of <85 on the BSID-III. Univariate testing and logistic regression models were used.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between moderate and severe BPD, brain injury, NEC, and ROP with NDI. Logistic regression showed infants with brain injury or NEC had significantly greater odds of developing NDI.

CONCLUSIONS

BPD with brain injury or NEC increases the risk of NDI. Infants with ≥3 comorbidities had significantly higher odds of NDI.