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The association between growth and neurodevelopment at 2 years in moderate and late preterms

Anne H Lafeber1, Mark Bosch1, Cornelieke S H Aarnoudse-Moens2

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

Pediatric Research
|November 25, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Growth in moderate and late preterm infants (MLPTI) during the hospital stay showed a trend towards better neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, overall growth in the first two years did not significantly correlate with cognitive or language scores at corrected age.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Pediatric Neurology

Background:

  • Moderate and late preterm infants (MLPTI, 32 0/7–36 6/7 weeks gestation) are susceptible to growth deficits and neurodevelopmental delays.
  • Early life growth patterns in MLPTI are not well-understood concerning long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between infant growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years corrected age (CA) in MLPTI.
  • To determine if in-hospital growth or post-hospital growth has a differential impact on neurodevelopment.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective collection of anthropometric data from birth to 2 years CA in 100 MLPTI.
  • Neurodevelopmental assessment using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III-NL).
  • Multivariable regression analyses were employed to analyze the data.

Main Results:

  • A positive association was observed between in-hospital length growth (Δz-score) and cognitive scores (p=0.025) and language scores (p=0.041) at 2 years CA.
  • A non-significant trend indicated that increased in-hospital weight gain (Δz-score) was associated with higher cognitive scores (p=0.097).
  • No significant associations were found between growth after hospital discharge and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years CA.

Conclusions:

  • Early in-hospital growth, particularly length, may positively influence neurodevelopmental outcomes in MLPTI.
  • Post-hospital growth up to 2 years CA did not show a significant association with neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate factors influencing growth and neurodevelopment in this vulnerable preterm population.
Abstract

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