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Placental pathology and long-term neurodevelopment of very preterm infants

Elvira O G van Vliet1, Jorrit F de Kieviet, J Patrick van der Voorn

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|April 24, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Very preterm infants with placental underperfusion showed poorer mental development at age 2 compared to those with histological chorioamnionitis. Placental pathology impacts neurodevelopmental outcomes in these vulnerable infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Perinatal Pathology

Background:

  • Placental underperfusion and histological chorioamnionitis are common complications in very preterm births.
  • These conditions may influence neonatal morbidity and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare neonatal morbidity and neurodevelopmental outcomes between very preterm infants with placental underperfusion and histological chorioamnionitis.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of very preterm infants was assessed for mental and motor development at ages 2 and 7 years.
  • Infants were categorized based on placental pathology: underperfusion (n=51) or histological chorioamnionitis (n=21).

Main Results:

  • At 2 years, infants with placental underperfusion exhibited significantly poorer mental development (P=.001) compared to those with chorioamnionitis.
  • No significant differences in motor development were observed at 2 years.
  • At 7 years, trends suggested better mental and motor development and fewer behavioral issues in infants with histological chorioamnionitis, though not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

  • Placental pathology is a significant factor contributing to variations in mental development at 2 years in very preterm infants.
  • Neurodevelopmental assessments of very preterm infants should consider the presence of placental pathology.
Abstract

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