Publications by authors named "Leah M Hickey"

Background: Few studies have tracked growth in children born extremely preterm (EP, <28 weeks' gestation) beyond late adolescence. The relationships between growth parameters (including weight and BMI) through childhood and adolescence with later cardiometabolic health, are unclear in those born EP. We aimed to (i) compare growth from 2 to 25 years between EP and controls; and in the EP group (ii) determine the associations of growth parameters with cardiometabolic health.

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Background: Although outcomes for infants born extremely low birthweight (ELBW; <1000 g birthweight) have improved over time, it is important to document survival and morbidity changes following the advent of modern neonatal intensive care in the 1990s.

Objective: To describe trends in survival, perinatal outcomes and neurodevelopment to 2 years' corrected age over time across six discrete geographic cohorts born ELBW between 1979 and 2017.

Methods: Analysis of data from discrete population-based prospective cohort studies of all live births free of lethal anomalies with birthweight 500-999 g in the state of Victoria, Australia, over 6 eras: 1979-80, 1985-87, 1991-92, 1997, 2005 and 2016-17.

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Importance: Survival of infants born extremely preterm (EP) (<28 weeks' gestation) has increased since the early 1990s. It is necessary to know whether increased survival is accompanied by increased neurodevelopmental disability.

Objective: To examine changes in major (ie, moderate or severe) neurodevelopmental disability and survival free of major neurodevelopmental disability at 2 years in infants born EP.

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Objectives: It is unclear how newer methods of respiratory support for infants born extremely preterm (EP; 22-27 weeks gestation) have affected in-hospital sequelae. We aimed to determine changes in respiratory support, survival and morbidity in EP infants since the early 1990s.

Design: Prospective longitudinal cohort study.

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Background: Decisions regarding provision of intensive care and post-discharge follow-up for infants born extremely preterm (<28 weeks' gestation) are based on the risks of mortality and neurodevelopmental disability. We aimed to elucidate the changes in probability of three outcomes (death, survival with major disability, and survival without major disability) with postnatal age in extremely preterm infants offered intensive care, and the effect of postnatal events on the probability of survival without major disability.

Methods: In this prospective observational study, we used data from three geographical cohorts composed of all extremely preterm livebirths offered intensive care at birth during three distinct periods (1991-92, 1997, and 2005) in Victoria, Australia.

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Objectives: To (1) compare the neurodevelopmental outcomes at 8 years of age of children born extremely preterm (EP) who underwent surgical procedures during the course of their initial hospital admission with those who did not and (2) compare the outcomes across eras, from 1991 to 2005.

Design: Prospective observational cohort studies conducted over three different eras (1991-1992, 1997 and 2005). Surviving EP children, who required surgical intervention during the primary hospitalisation, were assessed for general intelligence (IQ) and neurosensory status at 8 years of age.

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