Neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants with very low birth weights are associated with the severity of their extra-uterine growth retardation

Background For infants with very low birth weights (VLBW), their neurodevelopmental outcomes are thought to be associated with extra-uterine growth retardation (EUGR). In this study, based on a single institute, we analyzed the association between different levels or severity of EUGR of VLBW infants and their neurodevelopmental outcomes later at a corrected age of 24 months. Methods This is a hospital-based retrospective cohort study. The severity of EUGR was classified into three categories according to the z-score of discharge weight: z  Results In total, 224 VLBW infants were enrolled in this study from 1997 to 2006. In the univariate analysis, EUGR for weight at discharge from hospital was associated with MDI Conclusion In VLBW preterm infants, EUGR was significantly associated with low MDI scores assessed at a corrected age of 24 months. Early evaluation and recognition of EUGR should be emphasized when caring for preterm infants.