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Neurodevelopmental outcome of infants with apnea of infancy
A H Koons1, N Mojica, N Jadeja
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, St. Peter's Medical Center, New Brunswick 08903.
Insights
Premature infants with persistent apnea of prematurity (AOP) show normal cognitive development. Mild motor delays were more common in infants with AOP, but overall neurodevelopmental outcomes were similar to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Apnea of prematurity (AOP) is common in premature infants.
- The long-term neurodevelopmental effects of persistent AOP require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the neurodevelopmental outcomes of premature infants with persistent apnea of prematurity (AOP).
- To compare cognitive and motor development, as well as other health issues, between infants with AOP and a matched control group.
Main Methods:
- Sixty premature infants with AOP were compared to 47 matched premature control infants.
- Neurodevelopmental assessments, including Bayley Scales of Infant Development, neurologic, speech, and hearing examinations, were conducted between 12 and 24 months.
- Infants were part of a multidisciplinary follow-up program.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in cognitive outcomes were observed between the AOP and control groups.
- Mild motor development delays were more frequent in infants with persistent AOP.
- Incidence of cerebral palsy, speech delays, retinopathy, and esotropia were comparable between groups.
Conclusions:
- Persistent apnea of prematurity, without other adverse perinatal events, does not appear to be associated with significant long-term neurodevelopmental problems.
- While mild motor delays may be more common, overall cognitive and major developmental outcomes are not adversely affected.
Abstract:
The neurodevelopmental outcome of premature infants with persistent apnea of prematurity (AOP) is reported. Sixty premature infants (birthweight [BW], 1469 +/- 533 gm; gestational age [GA , 31 +/- 3 weeks) with AOP were compared to 47 control infants (BW, 1586 +/- 581 gm; GA, 31 +/- 3 weeks) matched for gestational age and degree of neonatal illness. The infants were enrolled in a multidisciplinary follow-up program, and outcome data between 12 and 24 months are reported. Assessments included the Bayley Scores of Infant Development, neurologic examinations, speech and hearing examinations. There were no significant differences in the cognitive outcome between the premature infants with AOP and the premature control group. In 50 of 60 infants the Bayley Mental Developmental Index was in the normal range (112 +/- 18) as was 39 of 47 of the control group (112 +/- 13). Delays in motor development were seen in both premature groups, although a greater percentage of premature infants with persistent apnea had mild motor delays than did control infants. There was a comparable incidence of cerebral palsy (8% vs 11%), speech delays (20% vs 23%), retinopathy (8% vs 13%), and esotropia (7% vs 4%) between the infants with AOP and the premature control infants. The presence of persistent neonatal apnea without additional adverse perinatal events did not appear to be associated with a higher incidence of significant developmental problems.