Postnatal betamethasone treatment in extremely preterm infants and risk of neurodevelopmental impairment: a cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate if postnatal treatment with betamethasone in extremely preterm infants was associated with neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 6.5 years of age.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Respiratory support and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in infants born at 22-26 weeks gestation in Sweden, 2004-2007 and 2014-2016.

Aim: To evaluate if increased survival and new ventilation strategies were accompanied by a changed incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in Sweden over a decade.

Methods: Data from two Swedish population-based studies of live-born infants with gestational ages (GA) 22-26 weeks, born during 2004-2007 (n=702) and 2014-2016 (n=885), were compared for survival, any BPD, moderate BPD, severe BPD, and BPD/severe BPD or death at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Ventilation strategies and interventions were analysed.

Centralisation of extremely preterm births and decreased early postnatal mortality in Sweden, 2004-2007 versus 2014-2016.

Aim: We evaluated the increased centralisation of extremely preterm (EPT) births in Sweden in relation to the changes in mortality and morbidity.

Methods: Population-based data covering Swedish live births from 22 + 0 to 26 + 6 weeks of gestation during 2004-2007 and 2014-2016 were analysed for associations between time-period, birth within (inborn) or outside (outborn) regional centres, and outcomes.

Results: Among 1626 liveborn infants, 703 were born in 2004-2007 and 923 in 2014-2016.

Factors associated with the increased incidence of necrotising enterocolitis in extremely preterm infants in Sweden between two population-based national cohorts (2004-2007 vs 2014-2016).

Objective: To investigate potential risk factors behind the increased incidence of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in Swedish extremely preterm infants.

Design: Registry data from two population-based national cohorts were studied. NEC diagnoses (Bell stage ≥II) were validated against hospital records.

Neurobehavioral symptoms in children born extremely preterm: A Swedish National Study.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of neurobehavioral symptoms at 6.5 years in children born extremely preterm (EPT, <27 weeks' gestation).

Methods: Population-based cohort study of infants born EPT in Sweden from 2004 to 2007.

One-year survival and outcomes of infants born at 22 and 23 weeks of gestation in Sweden 2004-2007, 2014-2016 and 2017-2019.

Objective: To explore associations between perinatal activity and survival in infants born at 22 and 23 weeks of gestation in Sweden.

Design/setting: Data on all births at 22 and 23 weeks' gestational age (GA) were prospectively collected in 2004-2007 (T1) or obtained from national registers in 2014-2016 (T2) and 2017-2019 (T3). Infants were assigned perinatal activity scores based on 3 key obstetric and 4 neonatal interventions.

Predictive value of Bayley-III Motor Index for later motor difficulties in children born extremely preterm.

Aim: To investigate the predictive ability of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) Motor Index, in children born extremely preterm (<27 gestational weeks) without cerebral palsy.

Methods: Children from the EXPRESS study (all extremely preterm births in Sweden, 2004-2007) without neurosensory impairments assessed with Bayley-III at 2.5 years corrected age and Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (MABC-2), at 6.

Perinatal risk factors for developmental coordination disorder in children born extremely preterm.

Aim: Children born extremely preterm frequently have developmental coordination disorder (DCD). We aimed to evaluate perinatal risk factors for DCD.

Methods: Swedish national cohort study including 226 children born before 27 gestational weeks without major neurodevelopmental disabilities at 6.

Birth outcomes between 22 and 26 weeks' gestation in national population-based cohorts from Sweden, England and France.

Aim: We investigated the timing of survival differences and effects on morbidity for foetuses alive at maternal admission to hospital delivered at 22 to 26 weeks' gestational age (GA).

Methods: Data from the EXPRESS (Sweden, 2004-07), EPICure-2 (England, 2006) and EPIPAGE-2 (France, 2011) cohorts were harmonised. Survival, stratified by GA, was analysed to 112 days using Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox regression adjusted for population and pregnancy characteristics; neonatal morbidities, survival to discharge and follow-up and outcomes at 2-3 years of age were compared.

The ability of Bayley-III scores to predict later intelligence in children born extremely preterm.

Aim: To investigate the ability of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-Third Edition (Bayley-III), scores to predict later Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV), performances in a cohort of children born extremely preterm.

Methods: 323 children, born <27 gestational weeks, were tested with the Bayley-III at corrected age 2.5 years and with the WISC-IV at 6.

Neonatal hyperglycaemia is associated with worse neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely preterm infants.

Objective: To assess the associations between neonatal hyperglycaemia and insulin treatment, versus long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in children born extremely preterm.

Design And Setting: Observational national cohort study (Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden Study) using prospectively and retrospectively collected data. Neurodevelopmental assessment was performed at 6.

Cognitive profiles of extremely preterm children: Full-Scale IQ hides strengths and weaknesses.

Aim: To study whether a specific cognitive profile can be identified for children born extremely preterm (EPT) by investigating: 1) strengths and weaknesses not revealed by Full-Scale IQ, 2) overlap between different cognitive deficits and 3) proportion of EPT children with multiple deficits.

Methods: We analysed data from the 4 version of Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children in EPT children (n = 359) and matched controls (n = 367), collected within the 6.5-year follow-up of a population-based prospective cohort study.

The type and timing of patent ductus arteriosus treatment was associated with neurodevelopment when extremely preterm infants reached 6.5 years.

Aim: This study investigated patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) treatment and neurodevelopmental outcomes when extremely preterm born children reached 6.5 years.

Method: Our cohort was 435 children with neonatal PDA treatment data and neurodevelopmental follow-up data, born in 2004-2007, who participated in the Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden Study.

Association Between Year of Birth and 1-Year Survival Among Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden During 2004-2007 and 2014-2016.

Importance: Since 2004-2007, national guidelines and recommendations have been developed for the management of extremely preterm births in Sweden. If and how more uniform management has affected infant survival is unknown.

Objective: To compare survival of extremely preterm infants born during 2004-2007 with survival of infants born during 2014-2016.

Validation of the diagnosis of necrotising enterocolitis in a Swedish population-based observational study.

Aim: The definition of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is based on clinical and radiological signs that can be difficult to interpret. The aim of the present study was to validate the incidence of NEC in the Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden Study (EXPRESS) METHODS: The EXPRESS study consisted of all 707 infants born before 27 + 0 gestational weeks during the years 2004-2007 in Sweden. Of these infants, 38 were recorded as having NEC of Bell stage II or higher.

Impact of major neonatal morbidities on adolescents born at 23-25 weeks of gestation.

Aim: More infants born extremely preterm (EPT) are surviving, but major neonatal morbidities are consistently high. This study examined the impact of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), brain injuries and severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) on adolescents who were born EPT.

Methods: We focused on EPT infants born at 23-25 weeks at the Swedish university hospitals in Uppsala and Umeå from January 1992 to December 1998.

Developmental Coordination Disorder and Its Association With Developmental Comorbidities at 6.5 Years in Apparently Healthy Children Born Extremely Preterm.

Importance: There are concerns that apparently healthy extremely preterm children face a risk of developing motor impairments, such as developmental coordination disorder.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of developmental coordination disorder and associated comorbidities in a national cohort of apparently healthy children born at 22 to 26 gestational weeks, compared alongside term-born peers.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This prospective, population-based cohort study included all children who were consecutively born at 22 to 26 gestational weeks in Sweden from April 1, 2004, through March 31, 2007.

Infant abuse diagnosis associated with abusive head trauma criteria: incidence increase due to overdiagnosis?

Background: The hypothesis of this study is that the diagnosis of infant abuse is associated with criteria for shaken baby syndrome (SBS)/abusive head trauma (AHT), and that that changes in incidence of abuse diagnosis in infants may be due to increased awareness of SBS/AHT criteria.

Methods: This was a population-based register study. Setting: Register study using the Swedish Patient Register, Medical Birth Register, and Cause of Death Register.

National population-based cohort study found that visual-motor integration was commonly affected in extremely preterm born children at six-and-a-half years.

Aim: This study aimed to explain the relationship between visual-motor integration (VMI) abilities and extremely preterm (EPT) birth, by exploring the influence of perinatal variables, cognition, manual dexterity and ophthalmological outcomes.

Methods: This was part of the population-based national Extremely Preterm Infant Study in Sweden (EXPRESS) study. We studied 355 children, born at a gestational age of <27 weeks from April 2004 to March 2007, and 364 term-born controls.

Extreme prematurity, treated retinopathy, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and cerebral palsy are significant risk factors for ophthalmological abnormalities at 6.5 years of age.

Aim: This study evaluated the contributions of various prenatal and postnatal predictive factors to a documented high prevalence of ophthalmological abnormalities in children aged 6.5 years who were born extremely preterm.

Methods: We carried out a prospective population-based study of all children born in Sweden at a gestational age of 22 + 0 to 26 + 6 weeks based on the Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden Study.

Cerebral Palsy in Extremely Preterm Infants.

Background And Objectives: The risk of cerebral palsy (CP) is high in preterm infants and is often accompanied by additional neurodevelopmental comorbidities. The present study describes lifetime prevalence of CP in a population-based prospective cohort of children born extremely preterm, including the type and severity of CP and other comorbidities (ie, developmental delay and/or cognitive impairment, neurobehavioral morbidity, epilepsy, vision and hearing impairments), and overall severity of disability. In this study, we also evaluate whether age at assessment, overall severity of disability, and available sources of information influence outcome results.

Behavioral Patterns in Adolescents Born at 23 to 25 Weeks of Gestation.

Background: This study examined mental health outcomes in extremely preterm children (EPT) born at 23 to 25 weeks of gestation between 1992 and 1998 at 2 Swedish tertiary care centers that offered regional and active perinatal care to all live-born EPT infants.

Methods: We assessed 132 (98%) of the 134 EPT survivors at 10 to 15 years of age alongside term-born controls. Behavioral and emotional problems were evaluated by using Achenbach's Child Behavior Checklist and Teacher Report Form and Conners' Parent and Teacher scales for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Chronic Conditions and Health Care Needs of Adolescents Born at 23 to 25 Weeks' Gestation.

Objective: We examined chronic conditions, functional limitations, and special health care needs in extremely preterm children (EPT; 23-25 weeks' gestation) born between 1992 and 1998 at 2 Swedish tertiary care centers that offered regional and active perinatal care to all live-born EPT infants.

Methods: Of 134 surviving EPT children, 132 (98%) were assessed at 10 to 15 years of age alongside 103 term-born controls. Identification of children with functional limitations and special health care needs was based on a questionnaire administered to parents.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Among Extremely Preterm Infants 6.5 Years After Active Perinatal Care in Sweden.

Importance: Active perinatal care increases the rate of survival of extremely preterm infants, but there are concerns that improved survival might increase the rate of disabled survivors.

Objective: To determine the neurodevelopmental outcomes of a national cohort of children 6.5 years of age who had been born extremely preterm (<27 weeks' gestational age) in Sweden.

Ophthalmologic Outcome of Extremely Preterm Infants at 6.5 Years of Age: Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden Study (EXPRESS).

Importance: This follow-up study of extremely preterm (EPT) children (<27 weeks' gestational age [GA] at birth) revealed major eye and visual problems in 37.9% (147 of 388) of all EPT infants and in 55.4% (67 of 121) of the most immature subgroups at 6.