Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants in the Regional Pediatric Clinic

Aim: To examine the incidence and etiology of neurodevelopmental outcomes in very low birth weight preterm infants, maternal and perinatal risk factors, comorbidities, and clinical presentation and compare with newborns of the same gestational age who did not develop a neurodevelopmental disorder.Methods: The research was conducted at the Pediatric Clinic in KBC (Clinical Hospital Center) Osijek. All newborns born from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019 with birth weight < 1,500 g and gestational age < 37 weeks are included in the research. The data were collected by reviewing medical records and the hospital’s IT system.Results: In the observed period, 120 children with birth weight < 1,500 g and gestational age < 37 weeks were born. Maternal and perinatal risk factors for premature birth include autoimmune diseases of the mother, infections during pregnancy and birth complications. Early complications that accompany the selected group are RDS, ROP, NEC, IVH, sepsis, congenital heart defects and glucose metabolism disorder. Slowed motor, cognitive and speech development are mostly influenced by low body weight, higher degree of IVH, lower AS in the first minute and the presence of NEC. Significant risk factors for death are gestational age < 25 weeks, body weight < 800 g, infections in pregnancy and autoimmune diseases of the mother.Conclusion: The neurodevelopmental outcome of very low birth weight preterm infants depends on a combination of comorbidities, as well as maternal, perinatal and neonatal risk factors.