Late Neonatal Sepsis in Very-low-birth-weight Premature Newborns Is Associated With Alterations in Neurodevelopment at Twenty-five Months of Age

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the impact of late-onset sepsis (LOS) on the neurodevelopment of very-low–birth-weight (VLBW) premature infants. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of VLBW premature infants. The Mental Development Index (MDI) was determined for a population of 546 VLBW infants, at 14 and 25 months of age, and evaluated using the Bayley test. A history of meningitis or early neonatal sepsis was considered an exclusion criterion. The study parameters analyzed included perinatal variables, the development of neonatal comorbidities and a history of LOS. Multivariate linear regression and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: LOS was observed in 115 newborns, among whom microbiological testing showed that 65.0% presented Gram-positive bacteria, with Staphylococcus epidermidis being responsible for 55.4%. There was a significant association between the 25-month MDI and a history of LOS. This represents a decrease of 7.9 points in the MDI evaluation of newborns with a history of LOS. The latter history is also associated with the following neurodevelopmental alternations: mild motor disorders [odds ratio (OR): 2.75; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.07–7.05], moderate cognitive delay (OR: 3.07; 95% CI: 1.17–8.00) and cerebral palsy (OR: 2.41; 95% CI: 1.09–5.35). Conclusions: In our study cohort, LOS was associated with alterations in neurodevelopment, including reduced MDI, together with motor and cognitive disorders and cerebral palsy. To improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in this group of newborns, neonatal intensive care unit personnel should focus attention on preventing hospital-acquired infections.