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Cognitive impairment among extremely low birthweight preterm infants from 1980 to present day

Journal of Perinatology volume 39, pages 1098–1104 (2019)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

To report cognitive outcomes of preterm infants evaluated in a single center between 1980 and 2015.

Study design

Cognitive scores at a median age of 33 months were collected in preterm infants (birthweight ≤ 1000 g). Cognition was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and the Stanford Binet Intelligence Scales.

Results

Six-hundred and two infants born between 1980 and 2015 were evaluated. Significant cognitive impairment for all infants decreased by 9.4% (p = 0.015) across the study period. For larger infants (birthweight ≥ 750 g), significant impairment decreased by 14.6% (p = 0.002). In smaller infants (birthweight < 750 g) no significant changes were observed in cognitive outcomes over the study period.

Conclusions

Overall, long-term outcomes of ELBW infants in our cohort showed significant improvement since 1980. Significant impairment decreased in infants with BW ≥ 750 g; and, despite increased survival of smaller (BW < 750 g) and sicker infants, significant impairment in that subgroup did not worsen over time.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr Eduardo Bancalari M.D. and Dr Nelson Claure Ph.D. for their help and support throughout this project. We also would like to thank Emmanuel Courchia for his help in the early stages of data analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine-Mailman Center for Child Development, Miami, FL, USA

    Benjamin Courchia, Michelle D. Berkovits & Charles R. Bauer

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  1. Benjamin Courchia
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  2. Michelle D. Berkovits
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  3. Charles R. Bauer
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Correspondence to Benjamin Courchia.

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Courchia, B., Berkovits, M.D. & Bauer, C.R. Cognitive impairment among extremely low birthweight preterm infants from 1980 to present day. J Perinatol 39, 1098–1104 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-019-0414-x

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