Count of Neonatal Morbidities Predicts Outcomes at Age 10 and 15 in Infants Born Extremely Preterm

Author Department

Pediatrics

Document Type

Article, Peer-reviewed

Publication Date

6-2025

Abstract

Objective: To assess if a simple count of 5 common neonatal morbidities, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), ultrasound-identified severe brain injury (SBI), severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and sepsis, predict long-term neurocognitive impairment, general medical health, behavioral health, or quality of life (QOL) at age 10 and 15 years in children born extremely preterm.

Study design: Participants from the multicenter, prospective, longitudinal study Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns (ELGANs) were followed at ages 10 and 15 and were categorized into groups with 0, 1, 2, or ≥3 neonatal morbidities (BPD, SBI, ROP, NEC or sepsis). Long-term neurocognitive outcomes were assessed using latent profiles generated from standardized tests of intelligence and executive function. General medical health, behavioral health, and QOL were assessed using standardized assessments.

Results: Of 1198 participants who survived to age 10,889 (74.2%) and 694 (57.9%) were evaluated at age 10 and 15 respectively. The number of neonatal morbidities was linearly related to the probability for moderate to severe neurocognitive impairment at age 10 and 15, and the probability of motor impairment, legal blindness, severe hearing loss, number of health disorders, ≥2 health disorders, and poor QOL at age 10.

Conclusion: Among newborns born extremely preterm who survive long-term, a simple count of neonatal morbidities (including BPD, SBI, ROP, NEC, or sepsis) is linearly related to neurocognitive impairment, poor general health, and quality of life.

PMID

40581098

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