[Neurodevelopmental catch-up status and correction termination age in preterm infants of different gestational ages]

Objectives: To investigate the status of neurodevelopmental catch-up and suitable correction termination age in preterm infants of different gestational ages.

Methods: A total of 918 preterm infants without significant high-risk factors who attended the outpatient service of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from January 1, 2018 to March 1, 2023 were included. The data on developmental quotient (DQ) in Gesell Developmental Schedule (GDS) were collected, while 6 684 full-term infants were included as controls. According to the gestational age, the infants were divided into preterm groups (early preterm, moderate preterm, and late preterm births) and a full-term group, and these groups were compared in terms of DQ of each functional area and its changing trend with 48 months of chronological age.

Results: The DQ values of all functional areas showed a catch-up trend from 6 months to 48 months of chronological age in each preterm group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the DQ values of all functional areas between the late preterm and full-term groups at the chronological age of 36 months (P>0.05). There were significant differences in the DQ values of most functional areas between the moderately/early preterm groups and the full-term group at the chronological age of 36 months (P<0.05), but no significant differences were found in the DQ values of all functions areas at the chronological age of 48 months (P>0.05).

Conclusions: The correction termination age for neurodevelopment in preterm infants may need to extend beyond 36 months, and the smaller the gestational age, the longer the time required for correction.