Being Small for Gestational Age Affect Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants

Introduction: There is insufficient data on neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants small for gestational age (SGA) with <= 30 weeks of gestation. The aim of our study was to compare the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants who are <= 30 weeks, in terms of being SGA or appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Materials and Methods: The data of infants who were born at <= 30 GW, were evaluated retrospectively. Neurological examinations and developmental assessment using Bayley Scales of Infant Development 2nd edition was performed at the corrected age of 18-24 months. Results: The data of 228 infants of whom 65 were SGA and 163 were AGA was evaluated in terms of neurodevelopment at the corrected age of 18-24 months. The mean gestational age (GA) was 28.4 +/- 1.1 in both groups (p=0.82) and the mean BW was 810 +/- 135 g in the SGA group and 1175 +/- 183 g in the AGA group (p<0.001). The SGA group had significantly lower Mental Development Index (p=0.01) and Psychomotor Development Index (p<0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, SGA was identified as an independent risk factor for neurodevelopmental delay (RR: 2.27; p=0.02). Conclusion: Being SGA is a risk factor for neurodevelopmental impairment of preterm infants (<= 30 GW).