RESUMEN
Introduction: Ureaplasma (U.) and Mycoplasma (M.) species have been related to pregnancy complications (including preterm birth) and worse neonatal outcomes. The aim of our work is to evaluate neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants born to mothers with Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma colonization during pregnancy. Methods: Preterm infants with gestational age (GA) of ≤ 30 weeks were included in a retrospective follow-up study. To evaluate the effects of maternal vaginal colonization, we divided preterm infants into two groups: exposed and unexposed infants. All infants were assessed at 24 ± 3 months of age using Griffith's Mental Developmental Scales (GMDS). Results: Among 254 preterm infants, only 32 infants (12.6%) were exposed to U. /M. colonization during pregnancy. Exposed infants and unexposed ones had a similar Griffith's Developmental Quotient (106 ± 27.2 vs. 108.9 ± 19.5, respectively), without significant differences (p = 0.46). However, exposed infants had a significantly poorer outcome than their unexposed peers in terms of locomotor abilities (100.7 ± 28.3 exposed vs. 111.5 ± 26.1 unexposed, p = 0.03). Conclusion: For visual and hearing impairment, exposed and unexposed infants had similar incidences of cognitive and motor impairment. However, exposed infants had significantly lower locomotor scores than unexposed peers.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Few studies in the literature have analyzed the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of the administration of a multicomponent versus a soybean-based lipid emulsion (LE) in preterm infants receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). A recent randomized controlled trial conducted in our unit provided evidence of better growth in head circumference during the hospital stay in those who received a multicomponent LE. METHODS: This is a 24 month follow-up study of preterm infants, previously enrolled in a randomized trial, who received a multicomponent LE (SMOFlipid®) or a standard soybean-based one (Intralipid®). We evaluated neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months of corrected age (CA) in the two groups. RESULTS: Ninety-three children were followed up to the age of 24 months CA. Due to the peculiar time frame of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, neurodevelopmental outcomes were evaluated only in 77 children: 37 in the SMOFlipid® group and 40 in the Intralipid® group. No differences in major disability rates or in Griffith's evaluation were found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In our population study, the administration of a multicomponent LE containing fish oil, compared to a soybean-based LE, had no significant effects on neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants at 24 months CA.
