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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
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Neurodevelopment and the association with early life nutrition in moderate and late preterm infants

Anne H Lafeber1, Mark Bosch1, Sophie F de Roos1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, North West Clinics, Alkmaar, the Netherlands.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|May 6, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Neurodevelopment in moderate and late preterm infants (MLPTI) at two years corrected age was normal, but boys scored lower than girls. Early nutrition did not impact later neurodevelopmental outcomes in these infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal research
  • Developmental pediatrics
  • Nutritional science

Background:

  • Moderate and late preterm infants (MLPTI) exhibit lower neurodevelopmental outcomes compared to term-born infants.
  • Early nutritional intake, specifically protein and energy, has been linked to improved early neurodevelopment in very preterm infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the neurodevelopmental outcomes of MLPTI at 2 years corrected age (CA).
  • To investigate the association between nutritional intake during the first week of life and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years CA in MLPTI.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective collection of nutritional data in the first week of life from 100 MLPTI (GA 32-35 weeks).
  • Neurodevelopmental assessment at 2 years CA using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third edition (BSID-III-NL).

Main Results:

  • Mean BSID-III-NL scores were within normal ranges for cognitive (103.1 ± 10.9), language (101.1 ± 15.0), and motor (100.8 ± 9.6) composites.
  • Boys demonstrated significantly lower cognitive and language composite scores compared to girls.
  • No significant association was found between first-week nutritional intake and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years CA.

Conclusions:

  • Neurodevelopment in MLPTI at 2 years CA is generally within normal limits, with boys showing lower scores than girls.
  • Nutritional intake during the first week of life does not appear to influence neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years CA.
  • Further long-term follow-up and research are needed for MLPTI neurodevelopment, particularly for boys.
Abstract

Keywords:
cognitionnutritional intakeprematurity

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