Prediction of 2-Year Cognitive Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants Using Machine Learning Methods

Abstract

Early intervention can improve cognitive outcomes for very preterm infants but is resource intensive. Identifying those who need early intervention most is important. To evaluate a model for use in very preterm infants to predict cognitive delay at 2 years of age using routinely available clinical and sociodemographic data. This prognostic study was based on the Swedish Neonatal Quality Register. Nationwide coverage of neonatal data was reached in 2011, and registration of follow-up data opened on January 1, 2015, with inclusion ending on September 31, 2022. A variety of machine learning models were trained and tested to predict cognitive delay. Surviving infants from neonatal units in Sweden with a gestational age younger than 32 weeks and complete data for the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition cognitive index or cognitive scale scores at 2 years of corrected age were assessed. Infants with major congenital anomalies were excluded. A total of 90 variables (containing sociodemographic and clinical information on conditions, investigations, and treatments initiated during pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal unit admission) were examined for predictability. The main outcome was cognitive function at 2 years, categorized as screening positive for cognitive delay (cognitive index score <90) or exhibiting typical cognitive development (score ≥90). A total of 1062 children (median [IQR] birth weight, 880 [720-1100] g; 566 [53.3%] male) were included in the modeling process, of whom 231 (21.8%) had cognitive delay. A logistic regression model containing 26 predictive features achieved an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.77 (95% CI, 0.71-0.83). The 5 most important features for cognitive delay were non-Scandinavian family language, prolonged duration of hospitalization, low birth weight, discharge to other destination than home, and the infant not receiving breastmilk on discharge. At discharge from the neonatal unit, the full model could correctly identify 605 of 650 infants who would have cognitive delay at 24 months (sensitivity, 0.93) and 1081 of 2350 who would not (specificity, 0.46). The findings of this study suggest that predictive modeling in neonatal care could enable early and targeted intervention for very preterm infants most at risk for developing cognitive impairment.