Developmental Patterns from 1 - 4 years of Extremely Preterm Infants who Required Home Oxygen Therapy

Background Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a common complication of prematurity, with those being discharged on home oxygen at particularly high risk of adverse developmental outcomes. Aims To compare the developmental patterns, from 1 to 4 years, of extremely preterm infants with BPD discharged from hospital on home oxygen, extremely preterm infants with BPD discharged breathing room air, and extremely preterm infants without BPD. Subjects Two hundred and seventy-six infants with a gestational age of < 28 weeks or birthweight < 1000 g, free from sensory and motor disabilities who were followed up longitudinally to 4 years corrected age. Outcome measures Children were assessed on the Griffiths Mental Development Scales at 1 and 2 years corrected age, and the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities at 4 years corrected age. Results The developmental trajectories of the three groups did not differ significantly, however at 1 year corrected age the non-BPD group had significantly higher developmental scores than both BPD groups. At 2 years corrected age the non-BPD group had significantly higher developmental scores than the BPD-home oxygen group, and at 4 years corrected age no differences between the groups were evident. Conclusions Extremely preterm children with BPD exhibited an initial developmental lag compared to preterm peers. Children with BPD discharged breathing room air had developmental scores at 2 years corrected age that were comparable to the non-BPD group, but those discharged on home oxygen still had lower developmental scores. At 4 years, no differences between the groups were evident.