Five-Year Neurodevelopmental Outcome of Children Born Very Preterm Between 2012 and 2018

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Public Health

Background:

• Preterm birth is a major risk factor for neurodevelopmental impairments.
• Understanding long-term outcomes and identifying risk factors in preterm populations is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the neurodevelopmental outcomes of children born very preterm at 5 years of age in Vorarlberg, Austria.
• To identify medical risk factors associated with these outcomes.
• To compare findings with national and international data.

Main Methods:

• Population-based study with prospectively collected data.
• Neurodevelopmental assessment using Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC-II), Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC-2), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Preschool Version (BRIEF-P).
• Multiple linear regression analysis to identify risk factors.

Main Results:

• 2.9% of very preterm children exhibited moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disability; 65.7% had no disability.
• Children born extremely preterm showed more disadvantageous outcomes than very preterm children.
• Abnormal hearing screening, male gender, and ICH grades 3-4 were associated with poorer cognitive and motor skills.

Conclusions:

• A small proportion of very preterm children experience moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disabilities by age 5.
• Early identification of risk factors like abnormal hearing, male gender, and severe intracranial hemorrhage is vital for targeted support.
• Outcomes are more challenging for extremely preterm infants, necessitating specialized care pathways.