Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 29, 2025

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis
06:19

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis

Published on: January 7, 2018

10.6K

Extra-uterine growth restriction in preterm infants: Neurodevelopmental outcomes according to different definitions

Domenico Umberto De Rose1, Francesco Cota2, Francesca Gallini2

  • 1Neonatology Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Medical and Surgical Department of Fetus - Newborn - Infant, "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy.

European Journal of Paediatric Neurology : EJPN : Official Journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society
|July 9, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Longitudinal definitions of extra-uterine growth restriction (EUGR) better predict neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants. Early identification of growth loss is key for improved cognitive scores.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Growth Monitoring

Background:

  • Extra-uterine Growth Restriction (EUGR) is prevalent in preterm infants.
  • Current EUGR definitions include cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches.
  • Predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes in this population remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the predictive accuracy of various EUGR definitions for neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years corrected age.
  • To evaluate the utility of Italian Neonatal Study Charts (INeS) and INTERGROWTH-21st (IG-21) growth charts in assessing EUGR.
  • To identify the optimal definition for predicting neurodevelopmental impairment in very preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of clinical data from 324 preterm newborns (gestational age ≤30 weeks).
  • Comparison of 48 EUGR definitions (24 cross-sectional, 24 longitudinal) against neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • Assessment using Griffith's Development Quotient (GDQ) and Neurodevelopmental Impairment (NDI) at 2 years corrected age.

Main Results:

  • 254 infants were included in the final analysis.
  • Nineteen EUGR definitions significantly predicted both GDQ and NDI.
  • Longitudinal definitions demonstrated a higher negative predictive value for NDI compared to cross-sectional ones.
  • Infants identified with EUGR exhibited lower cognitive scores.

Conclusions:

  • A decline of >1 Standard Deviation Score (SDS) in weight and head circumference, identified early after physiological weight loss, is a strong predictor of neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • Longitudinal monitoring and early detection of growth deviations are crucial for preterm infant neurodevelopment.
  • This study highlights the superiority of specific longitudinal EUGR definitions in predicting long-term neurodevelopmental trajectories.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cerebral palsyCognitive developmentExtra-uterine growth restrictionNeonatesOutcomesPostnatal growthPreterm infants

More Related Videos

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

86.8K
Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction14:19

Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Published on: June 29, 2013

28.4K

Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
3.2K
Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience,...
21.2K
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when...
6.6K