[Somatic and psychomotor development of preterm infants at the age of 2 years, with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia].

OBJECTIVE

The assessment of psychomotor and somatic development at the age of 2 years of preterm infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

DESIGN

Case -- control study.

SETTING

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

62 preterm infants born before 32 weeks of gestation, with mean birth weight equaled to 1112 g were included into 2 groups: group A -- with BPD (n=31), group B (control) -- matched by sex, birth weight, gestational age (n=31).

INTERVENTIONS

Evaluation of reaching milestones, neurological examination at 3, 9, 12, 18-24 months, Psyche-Cattel tests at 12 and 24 months, hearing and visions examinations, head, chest circumference, length and weight at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Age of unsupported sitting and walking, intelligence quotient (IQ), cerebral palsy, hearing and sight impairment.

RESULTS

Reaching motor milestones were similar in the both groups (unsupported sitting (mean) 10.4 vs. 8.7 months, unsupported walking: 15.1 vs. 13.9 months). Cerebral palsy occurred more (non-significantly) frequently in group A than in group B (7/31 vs. 2/31, p=0.15). Significantly lower IQ was found in group A at the age of 1 year in comparison with group B (x +/- SEM: 79.9 +/- 2.1 vs. 86.1 +/- 1.5, p=0.03) and at the age of 2 years (x +/- SEM: 89.2 +/- 2.7 vs. 96.0 +/- 2.1, p=0.06). Weight, length, head and chest circumferences at the term of delivery were similar in the both groups, but at the age of 9 and 24 months the group A children weighted less than group B (respectively: 7432 vs. 8128 g, 10010 vs. 11116; p<0.05) and at the age of 24 months were significantly shorter (816 vs. 848 mm, p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia significantly influences intellectual and somatic development of preterm newborns.