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Purpose The ratio of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) to placental growth factor (PlGF) is considered a predictive marker of preeclampsia. However, the relationship between the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and perinatal and neonatal outcomes remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the associations of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio with perinatal and neonatal outcomes in newborns born to mothers with preeclampsia. Methods This retrospective cohort study reviewed singleton neonates born to mothers with preeclampsia who underwent testing for the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio. We investigated the relationship between maternal sFlt-1/PlGF ratios and gestational age (GA), birth weight (Bwt), Bwt z-score, morbidities, and mortality of neonates born to mothers tested for the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio. Maternal sFlt-1/PlGF ratios examined within 30 days before delivery were used for analysis. Neonatal morbidities and mortality were investigated only in preterm infants born earlier than 32 weeks GA. Results A total of 225 neonates were included, of which 163 (72.4%) were preterm infants. GA (R=– 0.577, p

Purpose Extremely preterm infants are prone to brain injury and underdevelopment. Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is the most common cause of brain injury and a significant risk factor for neurodevelopmental delay in preterm infants. Severe IVH is known to have a poor outcome; however, the outcomes of low-grade IVH remain controversial. This study aimed to evaluate neurodevelopmental outcomes and brain segmental volumes of preterm infants with low-grade IVH. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 109 extremely preterm infants who underwent term equivalent age-magnetic resonance imaging and neurodevelopmental evaluation at a corrected age of 18 to 24 months. We compared infants with and without low-grade IVH. Results Among the 109 extremely preterm infants, 25 had low-grade IVH and 84 had no IVH. There were no significant differences in the neurodevelopmental outcomes between the low-grade and no IVH groups. In multivariate analysis, low-grade IVH was associated with a smaller medullary volume (adjusted odds ratio, 0.575; 95% confidence interval, 0.346 to 0.957; P=0.034). Conclusion We found no significant differences in the neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely preterm infants at a corrected age of 18 to 24 months between those with low-grade IVH and those without IVH. Low-grade IVH was associated with a smaller medullary volume.

Abstract Perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancies are determined by several factors, such as gestational age (GA), chorionicity, and discordance at birth. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the association of chorionicity and discordance with neonatal and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm twin infants from uncomplicated pregnancy. Data of very preterm twin infants who were both live-born between 2014 and 2019 on the chorionicity of the twin, diagnosis of the twin-to-twin syndrome (TTTS), weight discordance at birth, and neonatal and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months of corrected age (CA) were collected. Of the 204 twin infants analyzed, 136 were dichorionic (DC) and 68 were monochorionic (MC), including 15 pairs with TTTS. After adjusting for GA, brain injury, including severe intraventricular hemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia, was mostly found in the MC with TTTS group, with a higher incidence of cerebral palsy and motor delay at CA 24 months. After excluding TTTS, multivariable analysis showed no association between chorionicity and neonatal and developmental outcomes, whereas small infants among co-twins (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.33, 95% confidence interval 1.03–10.74) and greater discordance (%) of weight at birth (aOR 1.04, 1.00–1.07) were associated with neurodevelopmental impairment. Monochorionicity might not determine adverse outcomes among very preterm twins from uncomplicated pregnancy.

BackgroundCerebellar hemorrhage (CBH) is a major form of cerebellar injury in preterm infants. We aimed to investigate the risk factors and neurodevelopmental outcomes of isolated CBH and performed volumetric analysis at term-equivalent age.MethodsThis single-centered nested case-control study included 26 preterm infants with isolated CBH and 52 infants without isolated CBH and any significant supratentorial injury.ResultsIsolated CBH was associated with PCO2 fluctuation within 72 h after birth (adjusted odds ratio 1.007, 95% confidence interval 1.000–1.014). The composite score in the motor domain of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development at 24 month of corrected age was lower in the punctate isolated CBH group than that in the control group (85.3 vs. 94.5, P = 0.023). Preterm infants with isolated CBH had smaller cerebellum and pons at term-equivalent age compared to the control group. Isolated CBH with adverse neurodevelopment had a smaller ventral diencephalon and midbrain compared to isolated CBH without adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.ConclusionsIn preterm infants, isolated CBH with punctate lesions were associated with abnormal motor development at 24 months of corrected age. Isolated CBH accompanied by a smaller ventral diencephalon and midbrain at term equivalent had adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.