Early caloric deprivation in preterm infants affects Bayley-III scales performance at 18-24 months of corrected age

Background: Adequate nutrition is essential for optimal neurodevelopment to preterm infants. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of caloric deprivation on Bayley-III scales performance at 18-24 months of corrected age, in a cohort of preterm infants. Methods: We prospectively enrolled infants with gestational age < 30 weeks and birth weight < 1500 g. Apart from a whole cohort analysis, we performed a subgroup analysis between infants received inadequate calories ( < 85 Kcal/kg/day) during the first two weeks of age, compared to a standard nutrition group. All infants underwent a Bayley-III assessment at 18-24 months of corrected age. Results: From the 63 preterm infants analysed, 25% had caloric deprivation compared to 75% with adequate nutrition. Caloric deprived infants were of lower gestational age and birth weight, and received a lower amount of enteral feeding during the first 14 days of age. There were no differences between the two groups regarding the common neonatal co-morbidities. Caloric deprived infants had significantly lower composite index scores at 18-24 months of corrected age. Caloric deprivation, late onset sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia were significant risk factors of neurodevelopmental impairment. Conclusions: Several neonatal factors affect the neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm infants, and nutrition may pose an important role.