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Severe bronchiolitis in infants born very preterm and neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years

Marion Gouin1, Sylvie Nguyen, Christophe Savagner

  • 1Department of Neonatal Medicine, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France.

European Journal of Pediatrics
|January 23, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Very preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia face higher risks of neurodevelopmental impairment. Severe bronchiolitis in these infants was not linked to impaired neurodevelopment at two years old.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Preterm infants are susceptible to bronchopulmonary dysplasia and severe bronchiolitis, both linked to neurodevelopmental impairment.
  • Understanding risk factors for neurodevelopmental outcomes in very preterm infants is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between severe bronchiolitis in very preterm infants and neurodevelopmental impairment at two years of corrected age.
  • To determine if neonatal respiratory status influences neurodevelopmental outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of a population-based cohort (Loire Infant Follow-up Team) of infants born before 33 weeks gestation (2003-2009).
  • Severe bronchiolitis defined as hospitalization in the first year; neurodevelopmental outcome assessed at corrected age of 2 years.
  • Infants categorized by neonatal respiratory support: no assistance, oxygen <28 days, mild BPD, and moderate/severe BPD.

Main Results:

  • Moderate or severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) was significantly associated with non-optimal neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years (aOR=2.3, 95% CI: 1.3-3.9).
  • Severe bronchiolitis (hospitalization in year 1) occurred in 13.2% of infants and was not associated with non-optimal neurodevelopmental outcome (aOR=1.0, 95% CI: 0.8-1.4).
  • Neonatal respiratory status, particularly moderate/severe BPD, was a significant predictor of neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Neonatal respiratory status, especially moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, is significantly associated with neurodevelopmental impairment in very preterm infants at two years.
  • Severe bronchiolitis in the first year of life does not appear to be an independent risk factor for neurodevelopmental impairment in this cohort.
  • These findings highlight the importance of managing neonatal respiratory conditions to improve long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in very preterm infants.

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