American journal of perinatology
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Our objective was to determine the incidence of early neonatal problems and the neurodevelopmental status and probable risk factors associated with neurodevelopmental abnormality in preterm infants of < or = 32 weeks of gestation. Preterm newborns of < or = 32 weeks of gestation followed at the neonatal intensive care unit of the Department of Pediatrics of Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey, were evaluated with a complete neurological examination and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at a mean age of 25.85 + or - 11.79 months (range, 10 to 42 months). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the probable risk factors associated with neurodevelopmental abnormalities. ⋯ In the study group, logistic regression analysis revealed the significant predictors of an abnormal neurological examination to be the duration of mechanical ventilation (odds ratio [OR], 1.133; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.062 to 1.208) and necrotizing enterocolitis (OR, 6.697; 95% CI, 1.776 to 25.252). One of the major conclusions of the present study is the risk of neurodevelopmental sequelae in one of every four preterm infants with <32 weeks of gestation and the need for follow-up in this group. Measures in neonatal care and treatment, such as the use of less traumatic modes of mechanical ventilation with as short duration as possible as well as increasing perinatal/antenatal care, should be taken to overcome these risk factors.