Dataset Information

Cranial Ultrasound and Minor Motor Abnormalities at 2 Years in Extremely Low Gestational Age Infants.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The objectives of this study are to determine whether abnormalities on neonatal cranial ultrasound (CUS) are associated with minor motor abnormalities at 2 years' corrected age (CA) and to assess functional outcomes and resource utilization among children with minor motor abnormalities.

Methods

Infants born at <27 weeks in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014, who underwent neuroimaging with CUS at both <28 days and ≥28 days and were evaluated at 18 to 26 months' CA, were included. Follow-up included Bayley-3, neuromotor examination, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, and parent questionnaires about special services and resource needs. Children were classified by the most severe motor abnormality at 18 to 26 months' CA as follows: none, minor, or major motor function abnormality. Minor motor abnormalities were defined as any of the following: (1) Bayley-3 motor composite, fine motor score, or gross motor score 1 to 2 SDs below the test normative means; (2) mild abnormalities of axial or extremity motor skills on standardized neuromotor examination; or (3) GMFCS level 1.

Results

A total of 809 (35%) of 2306 children had minor motor function abnormalities alone. This did not increase substantially with CUS findings (no intraventricular hemorrhage [IVH]: 37%, grade I IVH: 32%, grade II IVH: 38%, grade III/IV IVH: 30%, isolated ventriculomegaly: 33%, and cystic periventricular leukomalacia: 24%). The adjusted odds of minor axial and upper extremity function abnormalities and GMFCS level 1 were significantly higher in children with more severe CUS findings. Children with minor motor abnormalities had increased resource utilization and evidence of functional impairment compared with those without motor function abnormalities.

Conclusion

Minor motor abnormalities at 2 years' CA are common and cannot be predicted by neonatal CUS abnormalities alone. Minor motor abnormalities are associated with higher resource utilization and evidence of functional impairment. These findings have important implications for early counseling and follow-up planning for extremely preterm infants.

SUBMITTER: DeMauro SB

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7243172 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundFaltering postnatal growth in preterm babies is associated with adverse neurodevelopment. However, which growth reference is most helpful for predicting neurodevelopment is unknown. We examined associations between faltering growth and developmental delay in extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants.MethodsWe categorized faltering growth (z-score decrease ≥0.8 for weight/length, >1 for head circumference) between birth, 4 weeks, 36 weeks' postmenstrual age and 2 years' corrected age using fetal (Fenton, UK-WHO and Olsen) and healthy preterm (INTERGROWTH-21st) references. Associations between faltering growth and developmental delay were examined using binary logistic regression and area under the receiver operating curve (AUC).ResultsIn 327 infants, Olsen charts identified the highest prevalence of faltering growth (weight 37%, length 63%, head 45%). Agreement in classification was higher amongst fetal references (kappa coefficient, ĸ = 0.46-0.94) than between INTERGROWTH-21st and fetal references (ĸ = 0.10-0.81). Faltering growth in all measures between 4-36 weeks (odds ratio, OR 2.0-4.7) compared with other time intervals (OR 1.7-2.7) were more strongly associated with developmental delay, particularly motor delay (OR 2.0-4.7). All growth references were poorly predictive of developmental delay at 2 years (AUC ≤ 0.62).ConclusionsFaltering postnatal growth in ELBW infants is associated with, but is poorly predictive of, developmental delay at 2 years.ImpactIn babies born preterm, different growth references result in wide variation in categorization of faltering postnatal growth. Faltering growth in weight, length, and head circumference from 4 weeks to 36 weeks' postmenstrual age are associated with developmental delay at 2 years' corrected age, particularly motor delay. However, postnatal growth is a poor predictor of later developmental delay in extremely low birthweight infants irrespective of the growth reference used.