Yonsei medical journal
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Very Preterm Infants Who Underwent Neonatal Gastrointestinal Surgery: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study
By Kim JH, Shim S, Lin CY and 8 others.
Abstract
Purpose
Advances in neonatal care have improved the survival of very preterm infants, but neurodevelopment remains a concern. This study aimed to investigate whether neonatal gastrointestinal (GI) surgery independently contributes to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in such infants, distinct from the underlying illness severity.
Materials and methods
In this retrospective cohort study (2011-2023) of infants born at <32 weeks' gestation, propensity score matching (1:2) yielded 32 surgical and 66 non-surgical infants. Neurodevelopment was assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID) II or III at 6-12 and 18-24 months' corrected age. Brain magnetic resonance images (MRIs) at term-equivalent age (TEA) were analyzed for gross structural abnormalities and white matter injury (WMI).