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Updated: Sep 10, 2025

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Mortality and Neurodevelopmental Outcome in an Italian Cohort of Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Lugli Licia1, Bedetti Luca1, Pugliese Marisa2

  • 1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|August 27, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Outcomes for very low birth weight infants were studied. Gestational age and neonatal complications impact survival and neurodevelopment, highlighting the need for early interventions like prenatal steroids and magnesium sulfate.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Perinatology
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Preterm infants, particularly those with very low birth weight (VLBW), face significant risks of mortality and long-term neurodevelopmental impairments.
  • Understanding the factors influencing outcomes in this vulnerable population is crucial for improving care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the mortality and neurodevelopmental outcomes in a cohort of very low birth weight infants in Italy.
  • To identify predictors of mortality and severe functional disability in this cohort.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter prospective study enrolled VLBW infants born in Italy between 2016 and 2020.
  • Severe functional disability was defined as cognitive impairment, cerebral palsy, blindness, or deafness.
  • Neurodevelopmental follow-up was conducted at 24 months.

Main Results:

  • Of 1381 infants, 9.8% died. Predictors of mortality included lower gestational age, lack of prenatal steroids/magnesium sulfate, advanced resuscitation, and lower admission body temperature.
  • 8.9% of infants who completed follow-up had severe functional disability, primarily neuropsychological impairment.
  • Predictors of severe disability included male gender, advanced resuscitation, periventricular leukomalacia, and periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage.

Conclusions:

  • Mortality and neurodevelopmental impairments in VLBW infants are linked to gestational age and neonatal complications.
  • Early interventions such as prenatal steroids, magnesium sulfate, and enhanced neonatal care are vital for improving survival and long-term outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
neonatal careneurodevelopmental outcomepretermsurvivalvery low birth weight

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