Prophylactic low-dose paracetamol for ductal closure and neurodevelopmental outcome in very preterm infants.

AIM

To investigate the direct effect of prophylactic low-dose paracetamol administration for ductal closure on neurodevelopmental outcome in very preterm infants who did not receive ibuprofen or surgical ligation for treatment of a patent ductus arteriosus.

METHODS

Infants < 32 gestational weeks born 10/2014-12/2018 received prophylactic paracetamol (paracetamol group, n = 216); infants born 02/2011-09/2014 did not receive prophylactic paracetamol (control group, n = 129). Psychomotor (PDI) and mental (MDI) outcome were assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 12 and 24 months corrected age.

RESULTS

Our analyses showed significant differences in PDI and MDI at age 12 months (B = 7.8 (95% CI 3.90-11.63), p < 0.001 and B = 4.2 (95% CI 0.81-7.63), p = 0.016). At age 12 months, the rate of psychomotor delay was lower in the paracetamol group (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.28-3.94, p = 0.004). There was no significant difference between the rates of mental delay at any time-point. All group differences remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders (PDI 12 months B = 7.8 (95% CI 3.77-11.34), p < 0.001, MDI 12 months B = 4.3 (95% CI 0.79-7.45), p = 0.013, PDI < 85 12 months OR 2.65 (95% CI 1.44-4.87), p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

We found no impairment of psychomotor and mental outcome at age 12 and 24 months in very preterm infants after prophylactic low-dose paracetamol administration.