[Risk factors associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2-3 years of corrected age in extremely preterm infants]

To investigate neurodevelopmental outcomes and associated risk factors in extremely preterm infants (EPIs) at 2-3 years of corrected age.

A retrospective study included EPIs (EPI group, n=122) at 2-3 years of corrected age who were followed at the High-Risk Infant Clinic of Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital and normal full-term infants aged 2-3 years (term group; n=154) during the same period from January 2018 to December 2024. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were compared between groups, and risk factors for neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in EPIs were analyzed.

The EPI group had a lower general developmental quotient and lower developmental quotients in gross motor, hand-eye coordination, and visual performance than the term group (P<0.05). In the EPI group, the proportions of no NDI, mild NDI, and moderate-to-severe NDI were 50.8% (62/122), 36.1% (44/122), and 13.1% (16/122), respectively; the proportions with cerebral palsy and global developmental delay were 2.5% (3/122) and 7.4% (9/122), respectively. The proportions of moderate-to-severe NDI and global developmental delay were higher in the EPI group than in the term group (P<0.05). The incidence of moderate-to-severe NDI did not differ between EPIs born at 22-24⁺⁶ weeks and those born at 25-27⁺⁶ weeks (P>0.05). Periventricular leukomalacia was a risk factor for moderate-to-severe NDI (OR=13.511, 95%CI: 1.370-133.235) in EPIs, whereas a higher 1-minute Apgar score was protective (OR=0.589, 95%CI: 0.437-0.795).

At 2-3 years of corrected age, EPIs have a lower general developmental quotient than term infants, with significant deficits in gross motor, hand-eye coordination, and visual performance. The proportion with NDI is relatively high; periventricular leukomalacia is an important risk factor, and a higher 1-minute Apgar score may confer neurodevelopmental benefits.