Long-term Neurological Development Research Articles

Effects of dexamethasone on short-term and long-term outcomes in late preterm infants with twin pregnancy: an observational study

Objective: To investigate the effect of prenatal dexamethasone on short-term outcomes and long-term neurological development in late preterm infants with twin pregnancy. Methods: A total of 315 pregnant women with twin pregnancy and their preterm infants who delivered in Peking University Third Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical data of pregnant women and preterm infants were collected. They were divided into non-medication group (93 pregnant women and 186 preterm infants), medication after 34 weeks group (123 pregnant women and 246 preterm infants), and medication before 34 weeks group (99 pregnant women and 198 preterm infants). Short-term outcomes of preterm infants were analyzed, including the incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS), wet lung, hypoglycemia, neonatal septicemia, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). "Ages and Stages Questionnaire-Third Edition (ASQ-3) scale" was used to follow up the late neurological development of preterm infants at the corrected age of 6-54 months, and the level of neurological development was compared. Results: (1) General conditions: the gestational age at delivery in the non-medication group [36.1 weeks (35.6, 36.6 weeks)] was later than that in the medication after 34 weeks group [36.1 weeks (35.2, 36.4 weeks)] and medication before 34 weeks group [35.2 weeks (34.2, 36.2 weeks)] groups, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). After correcting for gestational age, there was no significant difference in birth weight among the three groups (H=3.808, P=0.149). There were no significant differences in gender and the proportion of small for gestational age among the three groups (all P>0.05). (2) Short-term outcome: the incidence of wet lung was 7.0% (13/186), 11.0% (27/246) and 16.2% (32/198) in the non-medication group, medication after 34 weeks group and medication before 34 weeks group, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.018). There were no significant differences in the incidence rates of NRDS, hypoglycemia, sepsis, IVH, BPD, and NEC among the three groups (all P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis with gestational age and newborn birth weight as confounding factors showed that early gestational age (OR=0.884, 95%CI: 0.837-0.933, P<0.001) and increased incidence of selective intrauterine growth restriction type I (OR=2.967, 95%CI: 1.153-7.639, P=0.024) could both lead to an increased incidence of wet lung. (3) Long-term outcomes: a total of 109 pregnant women completed the follow-up, and 218 preterm infants with a corrected age of 6-54 months at the end of follow-up were enrolled, including 86 cases in the non-medication group, 66 cases in the medication after 34 weeks group, and 66 cases in the medication before 34 weeks group. There were no significant differences in the scores of communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving and personal-social among the three groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Prenatal administration of a single course of dexamethasone does not affect the neonatal birth weight and short-term outcomes of twin late preterm infants, and has no adverse effect on the neurological development of twin late preterm infants with a corrected age of 6-54 months.

Associations Among Birth Weight, Adrenarche, Brain Morphometry, and Cognitive Function in Preterm Children Ages 9 to 11 Years

BackgroundPreterm infants with low birth weight are at heightened risk of developmental sequelae, including neurological and cognitive dysfunction that can persist into adolescence or adulthood. In addition, preterm birth and low birth weight can provoke changes in endocrine and metabolic processes that likely impact brain health throughout development. However, few studies have examined associations among birth weight, pubertal endocrine processes, and long-term neurological and cognitive development. MethodsWe investigated the associations between birth weight and brain morphometry, cognitive function, and onset of adrenarche assessed 9 to 11 years later in 3571 preterm and full-term children using the ABCD (Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development) Study dataset. ResultsThe preterm children showed lower birth weight and early adrenarche, as expected. Birth weight was positively associated with cognitive function (all Cohen’s d > 0.154, p < .005), global brain volumes (all Cohen’s d > 0.170, p < .008), and regional volumes in frontal, temporal, and parietal cortices in preterm and full-term children (all Cohen’s d > 0.170, p < .0007); cortical volume in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex partially mediated the effect of low birth weight on cognitive function in preterm children. In addition, adrenal score and cortical volume in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex mediated the associations between birth weight and cognitive function only in preterm children. ConclusionsThese findings highlight the impact of low birth weight on long-term brain structural and cognitive function development and show important associations with early onset of adrenarche during the puberty. This understanding may help with prevention and treatment.

Glucocorticoid use and varying doses on the long-term outcomes of offspring born to patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

This study aims to assess the impact of non-fluorinated glucocorticoid use and varying doses on the long-term physical, neurological, and social-emotional development outcomes of offspring born to patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The goal is to provide guidance on the appropriate dosage of glucocorticoids during pregnancy in SLE patients. We conducted a follow-up study on the offspring of SLE patients who had pregnancies and were admitted to our obstetrics department between January 1, 2016, and September 30, 2021. Patients who received immunosuppressants and dexamethasone were excluded from the study. The SLE patients were categorized into three groups based on their glucocorticoid use during pregnancy: hormone-free group, ≤ 10mg/day group, and > 10mg/day group (equivalent to prednisone). Most patients in the three groups were used hydroxychloroquine during pregnancy. We assessed the physical development status, including weight, height (length), and other relevant factors in three groups. Additionally, we utilized the Age and Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ-3) to evaluate the development of communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social. The social-emotional development status was assessed using the Age and Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional (ASQ: SE). We standardized the weight, height (length), body mass index, and ASQ-3 domain scores of children of different ages and genders into Z-scores for comparison. The results of this study demonstrated no statistically significant differences in the long-term physical development, neurological development, and social-emotional development outcomes of the offspring of SLE patients in three groups. However, while not reaching statistical significance, it was found that the offspring of the > 10mg/day group had lower height (length) Z-scores and communication Z-scores compared to the other groups. Conclusion: The use of non-fluorinated glucocorticoids during pregnancy and varying doses did not have a significant impact on the long-term physical, neurological, and social-emotional development outcomes of offspring born to SLE patients. However, the offspring of SLE patients treated with glucocorticoids > 10mg/day during pregnancy may be necessary to strengthen the monitoring of height (length) and communication skills in the long term. What is Known: • Fetal exposure to glucocorticoids can have implications for the development of multiple systems and may persist after birth, potentially increasing the risk of neurological abnormalities and other diseases. • There is limited research on the long-term development of offspring born to SLE patients, especially the patients treated with glucocorticoids. What is New: • The use of non-fluorinated glucocorticoids during pregnancy and varying doses did not have a significant impact on the long-term outcomes of offspring born to SLE patients. • The offspring of SLE patients treated with glucocorticoids >10 mg/day during pregnancy may be necessary to strengthen the monitoring of height (length) and communication skills in the long term.

Application of in Vitro Membrane Pulmonary Oxygenation Technology (ECMO) in Neonatal Respiratory Failure

Objective: To explore the application of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation technology (ECMO) in neonatal respiratory failure and provide guidance for future ECMO technology for critically ill newborns. Methods: Retrospective analysis of the basic data, ECMO support process, and long-term neurological development of nine children supported by ECMO at Zhongshan People’s Hospital from January 2015 to August 2021. Results: From January 2015 to August 2021, the number of admissions to the neonatal department of our hospital was 10,325, with 433 cases of neonatal respiratory failure, which was in line with ECMO support indication of 21 cases, of which 12 were non-ECMO groups and 12 were ECMO groups. In nine cases, the differences in sex, birth weight, gestational age, birth pattern, Apgar score, NCIS score, OI value, hospitalization days, mortality rate, and incidence of intracranial bleeding were not statistically significant (P&gt;0.05). However, the average daily hospitalization cost for children in the ECMO group was significantly higher than that in the non-ECMO group, and the difference was statistically significant (P&lt;0.05). ECMO after 12 h operation, arterial oxygen pressure, and intravenous oxygen saturation are substantially enhanced, while arterial carbon dioxide pressure oxygenation index is considerably reduced, with a statistically significant difference (P&lt;0.05). ECMO pre-operation survival group lactic acid (6.46±2.70) was lower than the death group (17.66±14.62), after operation lactic acid decreased significantly, and after ECMO operation of the death group lactic acid showed an increase in conductivity. During the early stage of ECMO establishment, PT and APTT rapidly rise, while FIB decline. The ACT of both groups of children increased in the early stages of ECMO establishment and then gradually declined. In the ECMO group, seven children survived to discharge, six had no neurological developmental problems, and one had residual neurological sequelae. Conclusion: ECMO can be employed as a complementary supportive treatment for newborns with respiratory failure, and the oxygenation condition can be effectively improved for newborns with respiratory failure who have failed to respond to traditional treatment.

The Role of Amplitude-Integrated Electroencephalography (aEEG) in Monitoring Infants with Neonatal Seizures and Predicting Their Neurodevelopmental Outcome.

Newborn monitoring in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) is mandatory, but neurological and especially electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring can be overlooked or delayed until the newborn is clinically stable. However, the neonatal period is associated with the highest risk of seizures in humans, and the clinical symptoms may often be discrete, but the evolution and long-term neurodevelopmental disorders in these patients may be important. In response to this issue, we conducted a study to evaluate newborns who experienced neonatal seizures (NS) in the NICU and monitored their long-term neurological development. We enrolled 73 term and preterm newborns who underwent EEG monitoring using amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG). We then followed their neurological development until around 18 months of age, with 59 patients remaining in the long-term study. A total of 22% of patients with NS developed epilepsy, 12% cerebral palsy, 19% severe neurodevelopmental disabilities, and 8.5% died within the first 18 months of life. Our findings indicate that aEEG background pattern is a strong predictor of unfavorable neurological outcomes, with an odds ratio of 20.4174 (p < 0.05). Additionally, higher Apgar scores were associated with better outcomes (p < 0.05), with the odds of unfavorable neurological outcomes decreasing by 0.7-fold for every point increase in Apgar score. Furthermore, we found a statistically significant association between preterm birth and unfavorable neurological outcomes (p = 0.0104). Our study highlights the importance of early EEG monitoring in the NICU and provides valuable insights into predictors of unfavorable neurological outcomes in newborns who experienced NS.

Breastfeeding, nature’s gift for infant growth and development

Exclusive breastfeeding (BF) is the best feeding option for infants under 6 months of age. After this age, complementary feeding with other solid foods and liquids is advised for 1 to 2 years in addition to breast milk or formula. It is well established that BF has physical and emotional health benefits for both mother and child, as it has been demonstrated that it improves long-term neurological development, decreases the incidence of chronic diseases such as obesity, and stimulates the immune system function in children, while also reducing sleep deprivation in mothers and strengthening the mother-child relationship.1

PULMONARY HYPERTENSION IN INFANTS WITH BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA: CAUSES, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a leading chronic pathology of premature infants, which changes the structure of the lungs and disrupts the development of pulmonary vessels. The most important cardiovascular complication of BPD is the development of pulmonary hypertension, which is diagnosed in about 25 % of severely ill infants. Pulmonary hypertension associated with BPD develops due to lung vascular abnormalities and remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature, both of which lead to an increase in vascular resistance and the development of right ventricular heart failure. The occurrence of this complication worsens the prognosis of survival in infants with BPD, prolongs the total duration of hospital stay, adversely affects long-term somatic and neurological development and increases the frequency of re-hospitalizations. All this justifies the need for timely diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension in children with BPD. This review presents new data, for the definition, diagnosis, and treatment of pulmonary hypertension associated with BPD.

Iron deficiency during the first 1000 days of life: are we doing enough to protect the developing brain?

Iron is essential for the functioning of all cells and organs, most critically for the developing brain in the fundamental neuronal processes of myelination, energy and neurotransmitter metabolism. Iron deficiency, especially in the first 1000 days of life, can result in long-lasting, irreversible deficits in cognition, motor function and behaviour. Pregnant women, infants and young children are most vulnerable to iron deficiency, due to their high requirements to support growth and development, coupled with a frequently inadequate dietary supply. An unrecognised problem is that even if iron intake is adequate, common pregnancy-related and lifestyle factors can affect maternal-fetal iron supply in utero, resulting in an increased risk of deficiency for the mother and her fetus. Although preterm birth, gestational diabetes mellitus and intrauterine growth restriction are known risk factors, more recent evidence suggests that maternal obesity and delivery by caesarean section further increase the risk of iron deficiency in the newborn infant, which can persist into early childhood. Despite the considerable threat that early-life iron deficiency poses to long-term neurological development, life chances and a country's overall social and economic progress, strategies to tackle the issue are non-existent, too limited or totally inappropriate. Prevention strategies, focused on improving the health and nutritional status of women of reproductive age are required. Delayed cord clamping should be considered a priority. Better screening strategies to enable the early detection of iron deficiency during pregnancy and early-life should be prioritised, with intervention strategies to protect maternal health and the developing brain.

Association between confirmed congenital Zika infection at birth and outcomes up to 3 years of life

Little is known about the long-term neurological development of children diagnosed with congenital Zika infection at birth. Here, we report the imaging and clinical outcomes up to three years of life of a cohort of 129 children exposed to Zika virus in utero. Eighteen of them (14%) had a laboratory confirmed congenital Zika infection at birth. Infected neonates have a higher risk of adverse neonatal and early infantile outcomes (death, structural brain anomalies or neurologic symptoms) than those who tested negative: 8/18 (44%) vs 4/111 (4%), aRR 10.1 [3.5–29.0]. Neurological impairment, neurosensory alterations or delays in motor acquisition are more common in infants with a congenital Zika infection at birth: 6/15 (40%) vs 5/96 (5%), aRR 6.7 [2.2–20.0]. Finally, infected children also have an increased risk of subspecialty referral for suspected neurodevelopmental delay by three years of life: 7/11 (64%) vs 7/51 (14%), aRR 4.4 [1.9–10.1]. Infected infants without structural brain anomalies also appear to have an increased risk, although to a lesser extent, of neurological abnormalities. It seems paramount to offer systematic testing for congenital ZIKV infection in cases of in utero exposure and adapt counseling based on these results.

Cognitive and Motor Outcomes of Children With Prenatal Opioid Exposure

Prenatal opioid exposure (POE) is one of the fastest-growing global health problems, but its association with long-term neurologic and physical development remains unknown. To assess the association between POE and cognitive and motor development in children from age 6 months to 18 years. Key search terms included prenatal opioid exposure, neonatal abstinence syndrome, and neurocognitive development. Studies were searched using PubMed and Embase, with no publication date restriction, through August 20, 2018. Only published cohort studies comparing the results of age-appropriate standardized cognitive and/or motor tests between children with any POE (aged 0-18 years) with drug-free controls were included. Data that were not convertible to means and SDs were excluded. This study was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Standardized mean difference of cognitive and motor tests between POE and nonexposed children. Twenty-six peer-reviewed cohort studies were included. Cognitive outcomes were compared for a total of 1455 children with POE and 2982 nonexposed children across 3 age groups (mean [SE] age at cognitive testing was 13 [1.58] months for the toddler group; 4.5 [0.38] years for the preschool group; and 13 [2.36] years for the school-aged group). Motor outcomes were compared for 688 children with POE and 1500 nonexposed children up to age 6 years (mean [SD] age at motor testing, 2 [0.45] years). Standardized mean difference was lower in cognitive tests for children with POE at 0 to 2 years (d = -0.52; 95% CI, -0.74 to -0.31; P < .001) and 3 to 6 years (d = -0.38; 95% CI, -0.69 to -0.07; P < .001); the difference was not significant for those aged 7 to 18 years (d = -0.44; 95% CI, -1.16 to 0.28; P = .23). Motor scores were lower in children with POE (d = 0.49; 95% CI, 0.23-0.74; P < .001). Prenatal opioid exposure appeared to be negatively associated with neurocognitive and physical development from age 6 months, and this association persisted until adolescence. The cause and association of this with POE or other factors (eg, withdrawal treatment) are uncertain but suggest that POE necessitates long-term support and intervention.

Uso de medicación antipsicótica durante el embarazo

The use of medication in pregnancy is always a problematic issue, given the lack of sufficient data on which to base clinical decisions, as well as the associated uncertainty. Except in clear cases of teratogenicity, such as thalidomide, or in the case of psychotropic drugs —valproic acid—, the use of medication in pregnancy is always a matter of common sense, and above all, of a careful risk-benefit evaluation. In mental illness, the risks to the mother and the foetus in the absence of treatment can far exceed those arising from exposure to medication, especially in the case of serious mental disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression.In the case of antipsychotic medication, the available knowledge about its effects on foetal development, the neonatal period, and long-term neurological and behavioural development is limited. This makes it difficult to establish a general criterion for its use, especially if it is taken into account that the conclusions and recommendations derived from the available studies are not always coincident. This forces the clinician to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of these drugs under conditions of uncertainty, including the risks that the interruption of treatment would entail, and to do so in a context of clear information and shared decisions for the patient.

Evaluation of foetal neurological behaviour in hypothyroid pregnant females – a pilot study

Objectives: Maternal hypothyroidism is known for its possible deleterious effect on the neurocognitive function of the offspring. The aim of the current study is to investigate if maternal hypothyroidism also affects foetal neurological behaviour.Methods: Fifty foetuses were examined for abnormal neurological behaviour from 25 euthyroid and 25 hypothyroid age matched pregnant females, between 28 and 38 weeks gestation. The hypothyroid group was further subdivided into controlled (n = 5) and uncontrolled (n = 20) groups. Evaluation of foetal neurological behaviour using Kurjak’s antenatal neurodevelopmental test (KANET) test was performed.Results: Mean total KANET score was significantly lower for foetuses in the hypothyroid group compared to the euthyroid (p < .001, 95% CI: 2–6). The number of foetuses showing pathological scores was significantly higher in the hypothyroid group (9, 36%) compared to euthyroid (1, 4%) (p < .005). The distribution of total KANET score was significantly different between the two groups (p = .017). Foetuses in the uncontrolled hypothyroid group showed lower mean KANET scores (9.650 ± 2.907 versus 10.80 ± 3.03) and higher frequency of pathological scores compared to controlled (8 = 40% versus 1 = 20%) although without statistical significance. The distribution of total KANET score was not statistically significant between the two groups (p = .893).Conclusions: Overt maternal hypothyroidism may adversely affect foetal neurological behaviour. Correlation of prenatal findings with postnatal long-term neurological development is recommended in such cases.

Stability of serum ferritin measured by immunoturbidimetric assay after storage at -80°C for several years.

BackgroundIron deficiency (ID) may impair long-term neurological development when it occurs in young infants. In cohort studies, it is sometimes necessary to evaluate ID with sera kept frozen for several years. To assess ID, learned societies recommend measuring serum ferritin (SF) level combined with C-reactive protein level. The long-term stability of C-reactive protein in frozen samples is well established but not ferritin.MethodsWe measured SF level (immunoturbidimetric assay; in micrograms per liter) immediately after collection from 53 young adults recruited and followed-up in Porto, Portugal, from 2011 to 2013 (SF1), and then, in 2016 in two aliquots kept frozen at– 80°C for 3 to 5 years: one without (SF2A) and one with (SF2B) intermediate thawing in 2014. We compared SF1 to SF2A then SF2B; statistical agreement was evaluated by the Bland and Altman method and the effect of intermediate thawing by regression modelling.ResultsMean SF2A–SF1 and SF2B–SF1 differences were -2.1 (SD 7.0) and 48.9 (SD 66.9). Values for Bland and Altman 95% limits of agreement were higher for the comparison of SF2B and SF1 than SF2A and SF1: -82.2 to 179.9 and -15.8 to 11.8, respectively; the effect of thawing was highly significant (p <0.001).ConclusionsAgreement between SF values before and after 3 to 5 years of constant freezing at -80°C was in a generally accepted range, which supports the hypothesis of ferritin’s stability at this temperature for a long period. In long-term storage by freezing, intermediate thawing induced a major increase in values.

Clinical outcomes and neurodevelopmental outcome of prenatally diagnosed agenesis of corpus callosum in single center of Korea.

ObjectiveWith recent advances and frequent use of prenatal ultrasound, the antenatal diagnosis of agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) is not rare in obstetrics practices. However, information regarding the long-term neurological outcome remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical outcomes of prenatally diagnosed ACC and to analyze postnatal neurodevelopmental outcomes of ACC neonates born in our single center.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 56 cases of prenatally suspected ACC referred to our center.ResultsFifty-six fetuses were diagnosed with ACC, and 12 of those were followed-up in our center until delivery. Of the remaining 44, 7 were delivered after being referred back to the original hospital, 23 were lost to follow-up, and 14 had unknown outcomes. Among all 56, 29 were considered to have isolated ACC and 27 were considered to have non-isolated ACC. Of the 10 live fetuses delivered in our center, four had isolated ACC, three had non-isolated ACC, and the rest had outcomes unrelated to ACC. Neurodevelopmental outcome was followed-up until approximately age 3 years. Of the four with isolated ACC, three (75%) had normal neurodevelopmental outcomes.ConclusionSimilar to other studies, the results of our single-center study included positive neurodevelopmental outcomes for those with isolated ACC. However, despite our endeavor to counsel patients with prenatally diagnosed ACC, the delivery rate in our center was quite low. Therefore, larger, multicenter, retrospective studies including long-term neurological development outcomes are crucial and urgently needed to provide better counseling.

Adult long-term health-related quality of life of congenital hydrocephalus patients.

Congenital hydrocephalus has a major impact on the lives of patients and their relatives, as well as their long-term neurological development and social integration. The aim of this study was to assess the self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients after reaching adulthood. A total of 31 patients who required CSF shunt treatment for congenital hydrocephalus within the 1st year of life (between 1963 and 1987) agreed to undergo a structured SF-36 self-assessment. An age-matched German standard cohort was used as control. Additional parameters of surgical, social, and global neurological outcome were analyzed. The mean patient age was 35 years (range 26-51 years, 13 females and 18 males). Hydrocephalus etiologies were posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (n = 9), postinfectious hydrocephalus (n = 5), aqueductal stenosis (n = 10), myelomeningocele (n = 2), and unknown cause (n = 5). The mean modified Rankin Scale score was 1.6 (range 0-4). Hydrocephalic patients achieved lower scores for the SF-36 items physical functioning (70.5 vs. 93.5, p < 0.05), physical role functioning (74.2 vs. 88.3, p < 0.05), and general health perceptions (64.5 vs. 72.3, p < 0.05). Emotional, social role functioning, and mental health items did not differ between the groups. Assessment of vitality and pain resulted in a trend to worse values. Whereas the Physical Component Summary score was lower (46.1 vs. 54.3, p < 0.05), the Mental Component Summary score was not significantly different (50.2 vs. 48.7, p = 0.3). There was neither a statistically significant difference between subgroups of different etiologies nor an association with the number of subsequent hydrocephalus-related surgeries. Adult HRQOL for patients with congenital hydrocephalus appears to be similar to that for healthy con with regard to mental health and social functioning aspects. Physical impairment is a predominant factor of compro quality of life.

Physician counseling, informed consent and parental decision making for infants with hypoplastic left-heart syndrome

Until the development in 1980 by William Norwood of a staged palliative surgical procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HPLHS), there was no treatment for that condition. With medical developments in the 1980s, parents had the option of the Norwood procedure, transplantation or comfort care for a child born with HPLHS. With an improvement in the survival rate for the Norwood procedure from an initial 30% to now better than 80%, some physicians believe that comfort care should no longer be an option. If, however, medically sophisticated parents, who know the neurological and motor skills impairments that accompany HPLHS, object to the surgery, they are allowed to opt for comfort care. This two-pronged approach to medical treatment seems to violate the norms on equity and fairness in the care of the patient. Parents need to be informed about long-term neurological and motor skill development as well as survival rates to give informed consent.

Hydrocortisone vs. dexamethasone treatment for bronchopulmonary dysplasia and their effects on general movements in preterm infants

Hydrocortisone (HC) and dexamethasone (DXM) are used to treat preterm infants at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This may, however, affect their long-term neurological development. We aimed to determine the effect of HC and DXM therapy in preterm infants on neurological functioning as assessed by the quality of general movements (GMs) until 3 months after term. We found no difference in the quality of GMs between HC and DXM infants until term age. At 3 months, HC infants had a higher median motor optimality score (MOS) than DXM infants (25 vs. 21, P = 0.015). In the DXM group, MOS on the first day of treatment was lower than before treatment (10 vs. 11, P = 0.030). MOS decreased in DXM infants on the first day following treatment and at 3 months after term. This was not the case in HC infants. Our study suggests that neurological functioning at 3 months after term is better in infants treated with HC than in infants treated with DXM. We performed a longitudinal, observational study including 56 preterm infants (n = 17 HC, n = 17 DXM, n = 22 controls). GM quality, videoed before and after treatment, was assessed. In addition, a MOS was assigned to details of the GMs.

Long-term physical and neurologic development in newborn infants with isolated single umbilical artery

This study compared birth parameters and the longitudinal course in physical and neurologic development between children with 2 and 3 vessel umbilical cords. Our study of the Collaborative Perinatal Project included singletons of at least 24 weeks' gestation with single umbilical artery at birth and no identifiable congenital anomalies. Demographics that were collected included maternal age, race, smoking status, and socioeconomic index. Delivery data included gestational age, birthweight, Apgar scores, placental weight, and umbilical cord insertion and length. Growth and neurodevelopmental parameters were collected at various intervals from birth to 7 years. There were 263 infants with isolated single umbilical artery and 41,415 infants with 3 vessel cords. A random effect model that controlled for potential confounders did not show clinically significant differences in the physical and neurodevelopment measures between these groups. Our study shows no evidence of differential longitudinal physical growth or neurologic outcomes between infants with 2 or 3 vessel cords.

107: Long-term physical and neurological development in newborns with isolated single umbilical artery

107: Long-term physical and neurological development in newborns with isolated single umbilical artery

Neurodevelopmental outcome and pulmonary morbidity two years after early versus late surfactant treatment: does it really differ?

To investigate whether neurodevelopmental outcome or pulmonary morbidity at age two years might be different after early versus late surfactant treatment in intubated preterm infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). In 185 ex-preterm infants of 27-32 completed weeks of gestation, who were enrolled in a controlled trial of early versus late surfactant treatment (31 +/- 19 min vs. 202 +/- 80 min, respectively), a standardized follow up of medical history, pulmonary morbidity and neurodevelopmental outcome using the Griffiths scales were carried out. Neurobehavioural and motor development was comparable in both groups, as was medical history and actual morbidity. However, in the early treatment group a delay in the subscale 'personal social' of the Griffiths test and in one 'milestone' of motor development (rolling over from supine to prone) was noticed, and the rate of increased muscular tone was significantly higher. In terms of long-term morbidity or neurological development there is no obvious advantage of an immediate surfactant administration after intubation in preterm infants with RDS. This is in line with our results published earlier on morbidity at discharge, so improvement of gas exchange after intubation can first be awaited before surfactant is indicated.