Parent screening questionnaires to detect cognitive and language delay at 2 years in high-risk infants: an analysis from the Victorian Infant Collaborative Study 2016-2017 cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of two developmental screening questionnaires to detect cognitive or language delay, defined using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-Third Edition (Bayley-III), in children born extremely preterm (EP: <28 weeks' gestation) or extremely low birth weight (ELBW: <1000 g). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: State of Victoria, Australia. PATIENTS: 211 infants born EP/ELBW assessed at 2 years' corrected age (mean 2.2, SD 0.2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cognitive and language delay (<-1 SD) on the Bayley-III. The screening questionnaires were the Parent Report of Children's Abilities-Revised (PARCA-R) and the Ages & Stages Questionnaires Third Edition (ASQ-3). RESULTS: The PARCA-R performed better than the ASQ-3, but neither questionnaire had substantial agreement with the Bayley-III to detect cognitive delay; kappa (95% CI): PARCA-R 0.43 (0.23, 0.63); ASQ-3 0.15 (-0.05, 0.35); sensitivity (95% CI): PARCA-R 70% (53%, 84%) ASQ-3 62% (47%, 76%); specificity (95% CI): PARCA-R 73% (60%, 84%) ASQ-3 53% (38%, 68%). When both tools were used in combination (below cut-off on at least one assessment), sensitivity increased to 78% (60%, 91%) but specificity fell to 45% (29%, 62%). Similar trends were noted for language delay on the Bayley-III, although kappa values were better than for cognitive delay. CONCLUSIONS: Neither screening questionnaire identified cognitive delay well, but both were better at identifying language delay. The PARCA-R detects delay on the Bayley-III more accurately than the ASQ-3. Sensitivity for detecting delay is greatest when the PARCA-R and ASQ-3 were used in combination, but resulted in lower specificity.

The Knowledge Translation of Early Cerebral Palsy (KiTE CP) Study: Implementing Screening Among a High-Risk Prospective Cohort of Australian Infants.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the implementation of the international guidelines for the early diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) and engagement in the screening process in an Australian cohort of infants with neonatal risk factors for CP. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of infants with neonatal risk factors recruited at <6 months corrected age from 11 sites in the states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, Australia. First, we implemented a multimodal knowledge translation strategy including barrier identification, technology integration, and special interest groups. Screening was implemented as follows: infants with clinical indications for neuroimaging underwent magnetic resonance imaging and/or cranial ultrasound. The Prechtl General Movements Assessment (GMA) was recorded clinically or using an app (Baby Moves). Infants with absent or abnormal fidgety movements on GMA videos were offered further assessment using the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE). Infants with atypical findings on 2/3 assessments met criteria for high risk of CP. RESULTS: Of the 597 infants (56% male) recruited, 95% (n = 565) received neuroimaging, 90% (n = 537) had scorable GMA videos (2% unscorable/8% no video), and 25% (n = 149) HINE. Overall, 19% of the cohort (n = 114/597) met criteria for high risk of CP, 57% (340/597) had at least 2 normal assessments (of neuroimaging, GMA or HINE), and 24% (n = 143/597) had insufficient assessments. CONCLUSIONS: Early CP screening was implemented across participating sites using a multimodal knowledge translation strategy. Although the COVID-19 pandemic affected recruitment rates, there was high engagement in the screening process. Reasons for engagement in early screening from parents and clinicians warrant further contextualization and investigation.

Quantifying Bone Strength Deficits in Young Adults Born Extremely Preterm or Extremely Low Birth Weight.

The long-term bone health of young adults born extremely preterm (EP; <28 weeks' gestation) or extremely low birth weight (ELBW; <1000 g birth weight) in the post-surfactant era (since the early 1990s) is unclear. This study investigated their bone structure and estimated bone strength using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT)-based finite element modeling (pQCT-FEM). Results using this technique have been associated with bone fragility in several clinical settings. Participants comprised 161 EP/ELBW survivors (46.0% male) and 122 contemporaneous term-born (44.3% male), normal birth weight controls born in Victoria, Australia, during 1991-1992. At age 25 years, participants underwent pQCT at 4% and 66% of tibia and radius length, which was analyzed using pQCT-FEM. Groups were compared using linear regression and adjusted for height and weight. An interaction term between group and sex was added to assess group differences between sexes. Parameters measured included compressive stiffness (kcomp ), torsional stiffness (ktorsion ), and bending stiffness (kbend ). EP/ELBW survivors were shorter than the controls, but their weights were similar. Several unadjusted tibial pQCT-FEM parameters were lower in the EP/ELBW group. Height- and weight-adjusted ktorsion at 66% tibia remained lower in EP/ELBW (mean difference [95% confidence interval] -180 [-352, -8] Nm/deg). The evidence for group differences in ktorsion and kbend at 66% tibia was stronger among males than females (pinteractions <0.05). There was little evidence for group differences in adjusted radial models. Lower height- and weight-adjusted pQCT-FEM measures in EP/ELBW compared with controls suggest a clinically relevant increase in predicted long-term fracture risk in EP/ELBW survivors, particularly males. Future pQCT-FEM studies should utilize the tibial pQCT images because of the greater variability in the radius possibly related to lower measurement precision. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Growth from infancy to adulthood and associations with cardiometabolic health in individuals born extremely preterm.

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. Methods: Prospective state-wide cohort of all EP livebirths in Victoria, Australia, in 1991-1992 and contemporaneous term-born controls. Z-scores for weight (z-weight), height (z-height) and BMI (z-BMI) at 2, 5, 8, 18 and 25 years, and cardiometabolic health at 25 years (body composition, glucose tolerance, lipid profiles, blood pressure, exercise capacity) were measured. Growth trajectories were compared between groups using mixed models. The relationships between z-BMI changes/year, and being overweight at different ages, with cardiometabolic health were explored using linear regression. Findings: Z-weight and z-BMI were lower in EP than controls, but the gap decreased with age due to a more rapid rate of rise in z-weight and a decrease in z-height in the EP group compared with controls. Greater increases in z-BMI/year in the EP group were associated with poorer cardiometabolic health [coefficient (95% CI) per 0.1 z-BMI increase/year: visceral fat volume (cm3) 217.8 (160.9, 274.7), triglycerides (mmol/L) 0.45 (0.20, 0.71), systolic blood pressure (mmHg) 8.9 (5.8, 12.0), and exercise capacity (BEEP test maximum level -1.2 (-1.7, -0.7)), all p < 0.001]. The association between being overweight with poorer cardiometabolic health strengthened with age. Interpretation: The catch-up in weight and BMI by young adulthood in survivors born EP may not be desirable as it is associated with poorer cardiometabolic health. The associations of being overweight from mid-childhood with poorer cardiometabolic health may provide a window for intervention. Funding: National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.

Mobile Solutions for Clinical Surveillance and Evaluation in Infancy-General Movement Apps.

The Prechtl General Movements Assessment (GMA) has become a clinician and researcher toolbox for evaluating neurodevelopment in early infancy. Given that it involves the observation of infant movements from video recordings, utilising smartphone applications to obtain these recordings seems like the natural progression for the field. In this review, we look back on the development of apps for acquiring general movement videos, describe the application and research studies of available apps, and discuss future directions of mobile solutions and their usability in research and clinical practice. We emphasise the importance of understanding the background that has led to these developments while introducing new technologies, including the barriers and facilitators along the pathway. The GMApp and Baby Moves apps were the first ones developed to increase accessibility of the GMA, with two further apps, NeuroMotion and InMotion, designed since. The Baby Moves app has been applied most frequently. For the mobile future of GMA, we advocate collaboration to boost the field's progression and to reduce research waste. We propose future collaborative solutions, including standardisation of cross-site data collection, adaptation to local context and privacy laws, employment of user feedback, and sustainable IT structures enabling continuous software updating.

Postnatal corticosteroids and developmental outcomes in extremely preterm or extremely low birth weight infants: The Victorian Infant Collaborative Study 2016-17 cohort.

AIM: Systemic postnatal corticosteroids are used to treat or prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in extremely preterm (EP) or extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants but are associated with long-term harm. We aimed to assess the relationship between cumulative postnatal corticosteroid dose and neurodevelopmental outcomes. METHODS: Longitudinal cohort study of all EP/ELBW livebirths in Victoria, Australia 2016-2017. Perinatal data were collected prospectively. Neurodevelopmental assessment was performed at 2 years' corrected age. Linear and logistic regression were used to determine relationships between cumulative corticosteroid dose and neurodevelopment, adjusted for gestational age, birth weight, sex and major intraventricular haemorrhage. RESULTS: Seventy-six EP/ELBW infants received postnatal corticosteroids to treat or prevent BPD, 62/65 survivors were seen at 2 years. Median (IQR) cumulative postnatal corticosteroid dose was 1.36 (0.92-3.45) mg/kg dexamethasone equivalent. Higher cumulative corticosteroid dose was associated with increased odds of cerebral palsy, adjusted OR (95% CI) 1.47 (1.04, 2.07). Higher cumulative corticosteroid dose was also associated with lower cognitive and motor developmental scores, however, this weakened after adjustment for confounding variables: cognitive composite score adjusted coefficient (95% CI) -1.3 (-2.7, 0.1) and motor composite score adjusted coefficient (95% CI) -1.3 (-2.8, 0.2). CONCLUSION: Higher cumulative postnatal corticosteroid dose in EP/ELBW infants is associated with increased odds of cerebral palsy at 2 years' corrected age. Adequately powered studies are needed to assess the independent effects of cumulative steroid dose on neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Impact of current Australian paid parental leave on families of preterm and sick infants.

AIM: Parents of preterm or sick infants are at increased risk of mental health problems. The financial stress associated with an infant's prolonged hospital stay can have an additional negative effect on families' wellbeing and child development. This study explores parent use of Australian paid parental leave (PPL) and the financial impact of having an infant requiring neonatal care. METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional, online survey study conducted from November 2020 to February 2021. Participants were parents of babies born from 1 January 2013, admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit or special care nursery in Australia. The survey explored use of Australian Government and private sector PPL, and financial stress. Parent-reported anxiety and depression were measured using the EuroQol Group 5D-5L Anxiety and Stress Subscale. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-one parents responded of which 93% had a preterm infant. Seventy-three percent of infants were hospitalised for more than 1 month, and 34% were readmitted to hospital within the first year following discharge home. Eighty-three percent of parents reported moderate, severe or extreme levels of anxiety or depression. Seventy-six percent reported that having a child in hospital had a moderate-very large financial impact on their family. Parents identified main costs to be travel, food, inability to work and direct medical costs. CONCLUSIONS: Having an infant born preterm or sick has significant emotional and financial implications for families. The current Australian Government PPL scheme does not adequately support parents of preterm or sick infants, and a change is urgently needed to improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Early motor repertoire and neurodevelopment at 2 years in infants born extremely preterm or extremely-low-birthweight.

AIM: To determine the relationship between early motor repertoire and 2-year neurodevelopment in infants born extremely preterm (<28 weeks' gestation) or extremely-low-birthweight (ELBW) (<1000g). METHOD: This was a geographical prospective cohort of 139 infants born extremely preterm/ELBW (mean gestational age 26.7 weeks, standard deviation [SD] 2.0, 68/139 [49%] male), with parent-recorded videos suitable for scoring the General Movements Assessment (GMA). Motor repertoire was assessed using the Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R), with and without the fidgety movement subsection, and the GMA alone at 12 to 13+6  weeks corrected age and 14 to 15+6  weeks corrected age. At 2 years corrected age, impaired development was defined as Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition motor and cognitive development scores 1SD or less relative to controls born at term; paediatricians diagnosed cerebral palsy (CP). RESULTS: Greater MOS-R scores at 14 to 15+6  weeks corrected age were associated with lower odds of CP (odds ratio [OR] per 1-point increase=0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.71-0.99), and motor (OR=0.93, 95% CI=0.87-0.99), or cognitive impairment (OR=0.94, 95% CI=0.88-0.99). Absent/abnormal GMA at 14 to 15+6 weeks was associated with CP and motor delay. There was little evidence that MOS-R scores at 12 to 13+6 weeks were associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years. INTERPRETATION: Poorer MOS-R scores and absent/abnormal GMA, scored from parent-recorded videos at 14 to 15+6  weeks gestational age, are associated with CP and developmental impairment in 2-year-old infants born extremely preterm/ELBW.

Parent-recorded videos of infant spontaneous movement: Comparisons at 3-4 months and relationships with 2-year developmental outcomes in extremely preterm, extremely low birthweight and term-born infants.

BACKGROUND: Infants born extremely preterm (EP, <28-week gestational age) or extremely low birthweight (ELBW, <1000 g) are at risk of developmental delay and cerebral palsy (CP). The General Movements Assessment (GMA) and its extension, the Motor Optimality Score, revised (MOS-R) (assesses movement patterns and posture), may help to identify early delays. OBJECTIVES: To compare differences in the MOS-R scored from parent-recorded videos between infants born EP/ELBW and term-born infants, to determine relationships between the MOS-R and 2-year cognitive, language and motor outcomes and if any relationships differ between birth groups and the association of the GMA (fidgety) with CP. METHODS: A geographical cohort (EP/ELBW and term-control infants) was assessed using the MOS-R inclusive of the GMA at 3- to 4-month corrected age (CA), and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd edition (Bayley-III) at 2-year CA. Differences in mean total MOS-R between groups, relationships between MOS-R and 2-year outcomes and relationships between GMA (fidgety) and CP in infants born EP/ELBW were estimated using linear/logistic regression. RESULTS: Three hundred and twelve infants (147 EP/ELBW; 165 term) had complete MOS-R and Bayley-III assessments. Mean MOS-R was lower in infants born EP/ELBW than controls (mean difference -3.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] -4.2, -2.3). MOS-R was positively related to cognitive (ß [regression coefficient] = 0.71, 95% CI 0.27, 1.15), language (ß = 0.96, 95% CI 0.38, 1.54) and motor outcomes (ß = .89, 95% CI 0.45, 1.34). There was little evidence for interaction effects between birth groups for any outcome. Absent/abnormal fidgety movements were related to CP in children born EP/ELBW (risk ratio 5.91, 95% CI 1.48, 23.7). CONCLUSIONS: Infants born EP/ELBW have lower MOS-R than infants born at term. A higher MOS-R is related to better outcomes for 2-year development, with similar relationships in both birth groups. Absent/abnormal fidgety movements are related to CP in EP/ELBW survivors.

School Readiness in Children Born <30 Weeks' Gestation at Risk for Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether school readiness differs between children born <30 weeks' gestation who are classified as at risk for developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and those who are not. METHODS: This study was a prospective cohort study of children born <30 weeks' gestation. Children were classified as at risk for DCD at a corrected age of 4 to 5 years if they scored <16th centile on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition (MABC-2), had a full scale IQ score of ≥80 on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV), and had no cerebral palsy. Children were assessed on 4 school readiness domains: (1) health/physical development [Physical Health domain of Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory Computer Adaptive Test, and Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire], (2) social-emotional development (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and PedsQL psychosocial domains), (3) cognitive skills/general knowledge (WPPSI-IV), and (4) language skills (WPPSI-IV). RESULTS: Of 123 children assessed, 16 were ineligible (IQ < 80 or cerebral palsy: n = 15; incomplete MABC-2: n = 1); 28 of 107 (26%) eligible children were at risk for DCD. Children at risk for DCD had poorer performance on all school readiness domains, with group differences of more than 0.4 SD in health/physical development, social-emotional development, and language skills and up to 0.8 SD for cognitive skills/general knowledge compared with those not at risk of DCD. CONCLUSION: Being at risk for DCD in children born <30 weeks' gestation is associated with challenges in multiple school readiness domains, not only the health/physical domain.

The causal effect of being born extremely preterm or extremely low birthweight on neurodevelopment and social-emotional development at 2 years.

AIM: To assess the causal effect of being born extremely preterm (EP; <28 weeks' gestation) or extremely low birthweight (ELBW; <1000 g), compared with being born at term, on neurodevelopment and social-emotional development at 2 years' corrected age. METHODS: Prospective geographical cohort study of children born EP/ELBW over 12 months in 2016 from Victoria, Australia, and term-born controls. Children were assessed at 2 years' corrected age with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-3rd edition and the Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment. Delay was defined as <-1 standard deviation relative to the mean of controls. The estimand of interest was the mean difference/odds ratio (OR) between the EP/ELBW and control groups estimated using linear/logistic regression, adjusted for multiple pregnancy and social risk. RESULTS: A total of 205 EP/ELBW and 201 controls were assessed at 2 years. Delay/concerns were more common in the EP/ELBW group compared with controls, for cognitive (OR 3.7 [95% confidence interval 2.3, 6.0]), language (5.3 [3.1, 9.0]) and motor (3.9 [2.3, 6.3]) development, and social-emotional competence (4.1 [1.6, 10.2]). CONCLUSION: Being born EP/ELBW has an adverse effect on cognitive, language and motor development, and social-emotional competence at 2 years' corrected age. Close developmental surveillance, including social-emotional development, is recommended.

Instructional guides for filming infant movements at home are effective for the General Movements Assessment.

AIM: To determine the effectiveness of two instructional guides to obtain video recordings for the General Movements Assessment (GMA). METHODS: A cross-sectional study of a community sample of family participants with low-risk term newborn infants recruited via social media and randomly allocated to receive one of two instructional guides (detailed or quick versions) to film their infant's movements at home. Participants returned videos via a secure Research Electronic Database Capture link and videos were scored for quality across 10 criteria, along with scoring the GMA. Participants were surveyed about their perceptions of the instructional guides and electronic file transmission. RESULTS: Seventy-six parents of infants were enrolled and randomly allocated to receive detailed (n = 38) and quick (n = 38) instructions to film their infant for a GMA. Videos were returned by 87% (95% confidence interval (CI) 72%, 96%) of detailed instruction users and 84% (95% CI 69%, 94%) of quick instruction users. The GMA could be conducted on all returned videos. The mean score for video quality was 9.9/10 (standard deviation 0.4, 95% CI 9.7, 10.0) for detailed instructions and 9.7 (standard deviation 0.6, 95% CI 9.4, 9.9) for quick instructions. Overall, participants felt that either instructional guide was easy to use. Fifteen (20%) participants had difficulties with video file transmission, requiring additional support. CONCLUSIONS: Parents can successfully use one of two different instructional guides for filming their infant's movements for GMA; however, support should be provided for safe and easy file transmission.

Relationships between early postnatal cranial ultrasonography linear measures and neurobehaviour at term-equivalent age in infants born <30 weeks' gestational age.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between early postnatal brain development and neurobehaviour at term-equivalent age (TEA) remains uncertain. AIM: We aimed to explore relationships between early postnatal cranial ultrasonography (cUS) linear measures of brain size and brain growth with neurobehaviour at TEA in infants born <30 weeks' gestational age (GA). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. SUBJECTS: 137 infants born <30 weeks' GA without major brain injury on neonatal cUS. OUTCOME MEASURES: Neurobehaviour at TEA assessed using the General Movements Assessment (GMA) and Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE). RESULTS: The GMA was administered in 115/137 (84%) infants; 80 (70%) presented with abnormal general movements (GMs) (79 poor repertoire, 1 cramped synchronised). The HNNE was assessed in 106/137 (77%) infants; 52 (49%) had a suboptimal total score. With respect to brain size, larger measures of the corpus callosum length (CCL) and right anterior horn width (AHW) at 1-month were related to lower risk of abnormal GMs, and larger measures of the biparietal diameter at 1-week and 2-months were related to lower risk of a suboptimal HNNE. As for brain growth, increases of the CCL and transcerebellar diameter between birth and 1-month, and left and right AHWs between 1- and 2-months, were related to lower risk of abnormal GMs. CONCLUSION: Early postnatal brain size and brain growth were related to neurobehaviour at TEA in infants born <30 weeks' GA. This study provides preliminary evidence for the prognostic utility of early postnatal cUS linear measures as potential markers of neurodevelopment in later childhood.

Predictors of long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of children born extremely preterm.

Children born extremely preterm (<28 weeks' gestation) are at high risk of a range of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in later childhood compared with their peers born at term, including cognitive, motor, and behavioral difficulties. These difficulties can be associated with poorer academic achievement and health outcomes at school age. In this review, we discuss several predictors in the newborn period of early childhood neurodevelopmental outcomes including perinatal risk factors, neuroimaging findings and neurobehavioral assessments, along with social and environmental influences for children born extremely preterm. Given the complexity of predicting long-term outcomes in children born extremely preterm, we recommend multi-disciplinary teams in clinical practice to assist in determining an individual child's risk for adverse long-term outcomes and need for referral to targeted intervention, based upon their risk.

Temporal Trends in Neurodevelopmental Outcomes to 2 Years After Extremely Preterm Birth.

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. Design, Setting, and Participants: Four prospective longitudinal cohort studies comprising all EP live births at 22 to 27 weeks' gestation from April 1, 2016, to March 31, 2017, and earlier eras (1991-1992, 1997, and 2005), and contemporaneous term-born controls in the state of Victoria, Australia. Among 1208 live births during the periods studied, data were available for analysis of 2-year outcomes in 1152 children: 422 (1991-1992), 215 (1997), 263 (2005), and 252 (2016-2017). Data analysis was performed from September 17, 2020, to April 15, 2021. Exposures: Extreme preterm live birth. Main Outcomes and Measures: Survival, blindness, deafness, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, and neurodevelopmental disability at 2 years' corrected age. Developmental delay comprised a developmental quotient less than -1 SD relative to the control group means on the Bayley Scales for each era. Major neurodevelopmental disability comprised blindness, deafness, moderate to severe cerebral palsy, or a developmental quotient less than -2 SDs. Individual neurodevelopmental outcomes in each era were contrasted relative to the 2016-2017 cohort using logistic regression adjusted for gestational age, sex, birth weight z score, and sociodemographic variables. Changes in survival free of major neurodevelopmental disability over time were also assessed using logistic regression. Results: Survival to 2 years was highest in 2016-2017 (73% [215 of 293]) compared with earlier eras (1991-1992: 53% [225 of 428]; 1997: 70% [151 of 217]; 2005: 63% [170 of 270]). Blindness and deafness were uncommon (<3%). Cerebral palsy was less common in 2016-2017 (6%) than in earlier eras (1991-1992: 11%; 1997: 12%; 2005: 10%). There were no obvious changes in the rates of developmental quotient less than -2 SDs across eras (1991-1992: 18%; 1997: 22%; 2005: 7%; 2016-2017: 15%) or in rates of major neurodevelopmental disability (1991-1992: 20%; 1997: 26%; 2005: 15%; 2016-2017: 15%). Rates of survival free of major neurodevelopmental disability increased steadily over time: 42% (1991-1992), 51% (1997), 53% (2005), and 62% (2016-2017) (odds ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.15-1.48 per decade; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that survival free of major disability at age 2 years in children born EP has increased by an absolute 20% since the early 1990s. Increased survival has not been associated with increased neurodevelopmental disability.

Translating antenatal magnesium sulphate neuroprotection for infants born <28 weeks' gestation into practice: A geographical cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Magnesium sulphate was introduced for fetal neuroprotection in Australia in 2010. The aim of this study was to determine how often antenatal magnesium sulphate is used currently and its association with cerebral palsy in children born <28 weeks' gestation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants comprised all survivors born <28 weeks' gestational age in the state of Victoria in 2016-17, and earlier, in 1991-92, 1997, 2005. Rates of cerebral palsy, diagnosed at two years for the 2016-17 cohort, and at eight years in the earlier cohorts, were compared across eras. Within 2016-17, the proportions of children exposed to antenatal magnesium sulphate were determined, and rates of cerebral palsy were compared between those with and without exposure to magnesium sulphate. RESULTS: Overall, cerebral palsy was present in 6% (11/171) of survivors born in 2016-17, compared with 12% (62/499) of survivors born in the three earlier eras (odds ratio (OR) 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25-0.94; P = 0.032). Data were available for 213/215 (99%) survivors born in 2016-17, of whom 147 (69%) received magnesium sulphate. Data on cerebral palsy at two years were available for 171 (80%) survivors with magnesium data. Cerebral palsy was present in 5/125 (4%) children exposed to magnesium sulphate and in 6/46 (13%) of those not exposed (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.08-0.96; P = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Antenatal magnesium sulphate is being translated into clinical practice for infants born <28 weeks' gestation, but there is room for improvement. It is associated with lower rates of cerebral palsy in survivors.

Supporting Play, Exploration, and Early Development Intervention (SPEEDI) for preterm infants: A feasibility randomised controlled trial in an Australian context.

BACKGROUND: An early intervention that enhances early development in infants born preterm, called 'Supporting Play, Exploration and Early Development Intervention' (SPEEDI) has been shown to be feasible in Virginia, United States, in a pilot study. Infants receive 10 therapy sessions until 3 months' corrected age (CA) (Phase 1[5 hospital sessions] and Phase 2[5 home-based sessions]) in addition to usual care. AIMS: To determine the feasibility of SPEEDI for very preterm infants in an Australian context. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial. SUBJECTS: Infants born <30 weeks' gestation (GA), recruited between 34 and 38+6 weeks' postmenstrual age. OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was feasibility of SPEEDI, including recruitment rate, participant retention, sessions delivered, and therapy fidelity. Secondary outcome measures were developmental outcomes, including the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development - 3rd Edition (BSID-III) at 4 months' CA. RESULTS: Of 19 eligible infants, 17 consented, SPEEDI n = 8 and usual care n = 9 (mean GA = 26.7 weeks [SD 1.4], male n = 10). All participants completed the study, with 80% of SPEEDI therapy sessions completed (90% Phase 1; 72% Phase 2). On average, therapists and parents used 78% and 77% of SPEEDI strategies in each session respectively. Infants in the SPEEDI group had higher scores on the BSID-III for gross motor, and expressive and receptive language subscales at 4 months' CA. CONCLUSIONS: SPEEDI is a feasible intervention to deliver, and preliminary results suggest that SPEEDI may lead to improved motor and language outcomes at 4 months' CA, with results supporting future larger clinical trials.

Changing consumption of resources for respiratory support and short-term outcomes in four consecutive geographical cohorts of infants born extremely preterm over 25 years since the early 1990s.

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. SETTING: The State of Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: All EP births offered intensive care in four discrete eras (1991-1992 (24 months): n=332, 1997 (12 months): n=190, 2005 (12 months): n=229, and April 2016-March 2017 (12 months): n=250). OUTCOME MEASURES: Consumption of respiratory support, survival and morbidity to discharge home. Cost-effectiveness ratios describing the average additional days of respiratory support associated per additional survivor were calculated. RESULTS: Median duration of any respiratory support increased from 22 days (1991-1992) to 66 days (2016-2017). The increase occurred in non-invasive respiratory support (2 days (1991-1992) to 51 days (2016-2017)), with high-flow nasal cannulae, unavailable in earlier cohorts, comprising almost one-half of the duration in 2016-2017. Survival to discharge home increased (68% (1991-1992) to 87% (2016-2017)). Cystic periventricular leukomalacia decreased (6.3% (1991-1992) to 1.2% (2016-2017)), whereas retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatment increased (4.0% (1991-1992) to 10.0% (2016-2017)). The average additional costs associated with one additional infant surviving in 2016-2017 were 200 (95% CI 150 to 297) days, 326 (183 to 1127) days and 130 (70 to 267) days compared with 1991-1992, 1997 and 2005, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of resources for respiratory support has escalated with improved survival over time. Cystic periventricular leukomalacia reduced in incidence but retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatment increased. How these changes translate into long-term respiratory or neurological function remains to be determined.

Early general movements are associated with developmental outcomes at 4.5-5 years.

BACKGROUND: Prechtl's general movements assessment (GMA) post-term has high predictive validity for cerebral palsy, but less is known about whether earlier GMA, including before term, are associated with other developmental problems. AIMS: To examine the relationships between GMA prior to term and at term-equivalent, with developmental outcomes at 4.5-5 years' corrected age. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: 122 very preterm infants born <30 weeks' gestation and 91 healthy term controls. OUTCOME MEASURES: GMA (categorised as 'normal' or 'abnormal') were assessed at <32, 32-33 and 34-36 weeks' postmenstrual age for the preterm infants, and at term-equivalent for both groups. Children were assessed at 4.5-5 years' corrected age using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2nd edition (MABC-2), Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (Little DCD-Q) and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-IV (WPPSI-IV). RESULTS: Prior to term, abnormal GMA at the first two timepoints were associated with lower scores on the Little DCD-Q, and abnormal GMA at the second and third timepoints with lower quality of life scores and PEDI-CAT mobility domain scores. Abnormal GMA at term-equivalent were associated with lower MABC-2, mobility and quality of life scores for preterm infants, and worse social/cognitive domain scores for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal GMA prior to term and at term-equivalent are associated with worse motor, functional and cognitive outcomes at 4.5-5 years' corrected age, and may be useful to identify infants for developmental surveillance/early intervention.