Corrected Age at Bayley Assessment and Developmental Delay in Extreme Preterms.

Background And Objectives: Research on outcomes of prematurity frequently examines neurodevelopment in the toddler years as an end point, but the age range at examination varies. We aimed to evaluate whether the corrected age (CA) at Bayley-III assessment is associated with rates of developmental delay in extremely preterm children.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included children born at <29 weeks' gestation who were admitted in the Canadian Neonatal Network between 2009 and 2017.

White matter microstructure is differently associated with executive functioning in youth born with congenital heart disease and youth born preterm.

Introduction: Executive function deficits and adverse psychological outcomes are common in youth with congenital heart disease (CHD) or born preterm. Association white matter bundles play a critical role in higher order cognitive and emotional functions and alterations to their microstructural organization may result in adverse neuropsychological functioning. This study aimed to examine the relationship of myelination and axon density and orientation alterations within association bundles with executive functioning, psychosocial well-being, and resilience in youth with CHD or born preterm.

Parent-Integrated Interventions to Improve Language Development in Children Born Very Preterm.

Neurodevelopmental challenges in children born very preterm are common and not improving. This study tested the feasibility of using Evidence-based Practice to Improve Quality (EPIQ), a proven quality improvement technique that incorporates scientific evidence to target improving language abilities in very preterm populations in 10 Canadian neonatal follow-up programs. Feasibility was defined as at least 70% of sites completing four intervention cycles and 75% of cycles meeting targeted aims.

Spontaneous resolution of post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation in preterm newborns and neurodevelopment.

Background: We investigated the temporal evolution of post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) and compared neurodevelopmental impairments (NDI) in newborns with (Group 1) spontaneous resolution of PHVD, (Group 2) persistent PHVD without neurosurgical intervention, and (Group 3) progressive PHVD receiving neurosurgical intervention.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective cohort study of newborns born at ≤34 weeks with PHVD (ventricular index [VI] >97th centile for gestational age and anterior horn width [AHW] >6 mm) from 2012 to 2020. Severe NDI was defined as global developmental delay or cerebral palsy GMFCS III-V at 18 months.

Early predictors of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in full term newborn.

Background: Reliable predictive markers enabling physicians to identify which newborns will develop significant hyperbilirubinemia have become mandatory for prevention of severe hyperbilirunemia. We aimed at determining the critical cord serum bilirubin and albumin levels and bilirubin/albumin ratio early as reliable markers.

Study Design: This prospective study included 175 full-term neonates.

Prediction of outcome in asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia: Is a MRI scoring system described before the cooling era still useful?

Aim: To determine whether an MRI scoring system, which was validated in the pre-cooling era, can still predict the neurodevelopmental outcome of asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia at 2 years of age.

Patients And Method: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia. An MRI scoring system, which was validated in the pre-cooling era, was used to grade the severity of brain injury on the neonatal brain MRI.

Hearing loss among high-risk newborns admitted to a tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Purpose: The aim of this work is to identify the most significant risk factors for hearing impairment in high risk neonates hospitalized at our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and to assess the sensitivity of hearing screening tests.

Methods: This study involved 260 neonates admitted to a tertiary NICU; they were classified into two groups; 150 preterm and 110 full terms with risk factors for hearing loss. The hearing screening tests performed were transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) and the automated auditory brainstem response (AABR).

Predicting severe motor impairment in preterm children at age 5 years.

Objective: To determine whether the ability to predict severe motor impairment at age 5 years improves between birth and 18 months.

Design: Ancillary study of the Caffeine for Apnea of Prematurity Trial.

Setting And Patients: International cohort of very low birth weight children who were assessed sequentially from birth to 5 years.

Apnea is associated with neurodevelopmental impairment in very low birth weight infants.

Objective: To determine whether apnea in preterm infants is associated with abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome.

Methods: We determined the number of days that apnea and bradycardia spells were noted by the nursing staff, during the initial hospitalization of 175 preterm infants of less than <1250 g birth weight or <32 weeks gestation who had been enrolled in the follow-up program of the Royal Victoria Hospital. Multiple logistic and multiple linear regression models were constructed to determine the relationships between apnea days and neurodevelopmental impairment at 3 years of age, after correcting for gestation, sex, intrauterine growth restriction, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, pre- and postnatal steroids, and maternal education.