Impact of neonatal morbidity on the risk of developmental delay in late preterm infants

Abstract Background Late preterm infants (LPI) have a higher risk of developmental delay (DD) than term-born infants. The association of perinatal complications with specific morbidity is not clear. Aim (1) To compare the risk of DD at 4 years of age between LPI who have presence or absence of any morbidity associated with the prematurity at birth, called complicated (cLPI) or uncomplicated (uLPI), and term-born infants, (2) to determine maternal and perinatal factors associated with risk of DD, and (3) to analyze, in LPI, the association between perinatal morbidity and risk of DD. Methods A retrospective cohort study including 163 LPI – 47 cLPI and 116 uLPI – and 158 term-born infants (Terms) was conducted. Parents completed the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®3rd Spanish version (ASQ3). Risk of DD was defined as the presence of any ASQ3 domain scoring below the mean minus 2 SD. Association between risk of DD and maternal and perinatal factors was analysed using a multivariate logistic model. Incidence of risk of DD was analysed according to specific morbidity. Results Compared to Terms, cLPI have a higher risk of DD in the communication domain. Respiratory pathology was associated with a higher risk in the communication domain. Caesarean delivery was the only maternal perinatal risk factor for DD, especially in gross motor domain. Conclusions At the age of 4 years cLPI, especially those with respiratory morbidity, had a higher risk of communication delay. Caesarean delivery was the only perinatal risk factor associated with risk of DD.