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Growth of preterm infants with cystic periventricular leukomalacia
B Rogers1, J Andrus, M E Msall
1Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York at Buffalo and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, 14209, USA.
Insights
Growth failure in preterm infants with cystic periventricular leukomalacia (CPVL) and cerebral palsy (CP) is linked to undernutrition. Oral feeding impairment was the primary risk factor identified in this infant study.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- High rates of growth failure are observed in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- The specific causes of growth failure in preterm infants with cystic periventricular leukomalacia (CPVL) and subsequent CP are not fully understood.
- Neonatal health complications may contribute to growth failure in this vulnerable population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between growth failure in preterm infants diagnosed with CPVL and their neonatal health complications.
- To identify risk factors associated with growth failure in infants who develop CPVL and CP.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 51 preterm infants (<33 weeks gestation) admitted between 1988-1993 with CPVL.
- Follow-up of 41 survivors to assess development of CP and growth failure.
- Evaluation of nutritional status using the Waterlow (1972) classification and identification of feeding impairments.
Main Results:
- Of 41 survivors with CPVL, 39 developed CP, and 18 experienced growth failure during infancy.
- The majority (72%) of infants with growth failure exhibited signs of undernutrition.
- Oral feeding impairment was identified as the sole significant risk factor for growth failure.
Conclusions:
- Undernutrition plays a crucial role in the development of growth failure in preterm infants with CPVL and CP.
- Oral feeding impairment is a key factor contributing to growth failure in this population.
- Further research into nutritional support and feeding interventions is warranted for infants with CPVL and CP.
Abstract:
Etiology of the high rates of growth failure in children with cerebral palsy (CP) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between growth failure in preterm infants with cystic periventricular leukomalacia (CPVL) and neonatal health complications. The population consisted of all preterm infants (51) with a gestational age of <33 weeks who were admitted to the Children's Hospital of Buffalo from 1988 to 1993 and who had CPVL. Out of the 41 survivors with CPVL who were followed, 39 developed CP and 18 developed growth failure during infancy. At the time of greatest growth failure, the majority (72%) of infants had signs of undernutrition as defined by the Waterlow (1972) classification. Oral feeding impairment was the sole risk factor for the occurrence of growth failure. Undernutrition appears to be important in the occurrence of growth failure in preterm infants with CPVL and CP.