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Neurodevelopmental impairment in preterm infants with late-onset infection: not only in extremely preterm infants

Alexis Chenouard1, Géraldine Gascoin, Christèle Gras-Le Guen

  • 1Department of Neonatal Medicine, Hôpital Mère Enfant, CHU of Nantes, Boulevard Jean Monnet, 44093, Nantes, France.

European Journal of Pediatrics
|February 28, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Late-onset infections in moderately preterm infants (born before 35 weeks gestation) are linked to poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes at two years. This finding highlights the importance of infection prevention in this vulnerable population.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Late-onset infections increase neurodevelopmental impairment risk in extremely preterm infants.
  • Limited data exists on this association in moderately preterm infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between late-onset infection and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years in moderately preterm infants (<35 weeks gestation).

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of a regional, population-based cohort (LIFT cohort, 2003-2009).
  • Inclusion of 4,618 preterm infants assessed at 2 years.
  • Utilized propensity score analysis to mitigate bias.

Main Results:

  • 13.4% of infants acquired late-onset infection; 16.5% had non-optimal outcomes.
  • Significantly higher rates of non-optimal outcomes in infected preterm infants.
  • Adjusted odds ratio of 1.3 (95% CI 1.01-1.7) for non-optimal neurodevelopmental outcome associated with late-onset infection.

Conclusions:

  • Late-onset infection is significantly associated with poor neurological outcomes at 2 years in moderately preterm infants.
  • This association persists after propensity score adjustment.
Abstract

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