Cognitive impairment among extremely low birthweight preterm infants from 1980 to present day

Objectiveto report cognitive outcomes of preterm infants evaluated in a single center between 1980 and 2015.study designcognitive scores at a median age of 33 months were collected in preterm infants (birthweight ≤ 1000 g). cognition was assessed using the bayley scales of infant development and the stanford binet intelligence scales.resultssix-hundred and two infants born between 1980 and 2015 were evaluated. significant cognitive impairment for all infants decreased by 9.4% (p = 0.015) across the study period. for larger infants (birthweight ≥ 750 g), significant impairment decreased by 14.6% (p = 0.002). in smaller infants (birthweight < 750 g) no significant changes were observed in cognitive outcomes over the study period.conclusionsoverall, long-term outcomes of elbw infants in our cohort showed significant improvement since 1980. significant impairment decreased in infants with bw ≥ 750 g; and, despite increased survival of smaller (bw < 750 g) and sicker infants, significant impairment in that subgroup did not worsen over time.