Understanding long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of very and extremely preterm infants: A clinical review.

BACKGROUND

Survival of infants born at <32 weeks of gestation has increased over recent years. This has resulted in an increased incidence of neurodevelopmental morbidities in survivors.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this article is to provide a pragmatic clinical review of long-term neurodevelopmental risk experienced by very preterm infants.

DISCUSSION

Very preterm infants have a higher risk of cerebral palsy, cognitive delay, deafness and blindness, and autism spectrum disorder when compared with term controls. The presence of Grade 3 or 4 intraventricular haemorrhage or necrotising enterocolitis increased the risk of cerebral palsy, while magnesium sulphate for threatened preterm labour decreased the risk in the surviving neonate. Most of the neurodevelopmental conditions can be diagnosed in early childhood through regular follow-up. General practitioners need to be vigilant about early signs of developmental problems affecting preterm survivors. Regular follow-up is necessary to identify red flags in early development.