Association of Maternal Pre-Pregnancy or First Trimester Body Mass Index with Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Extremely Low Gestational Age Neonates

Abstract Objective: To compare the rates of death or survival with severe neurodevelopmental impairment (sNDI) at 2 years among extremely preterm infants in relation to pre-pregnancy or first trimester maternal body mass index (BMI). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included extremely preterm infants (gestational age 220/7-266/7 weeks). The study was conducted at National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network sites. The primary outcome was death or sNDI at 2 years. Results: Data on the primary outcome were available for 1,208 children. Death or sNDI was not different among the three groups: 54.9% in normal, 56.1% in overweight, and 53.4% in obese group (p=0.39). There was no significant difference in mortality, sNDI, moderate/severe cerebral palsy, Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID)-III cognitive composite score <70, BSID-III language composite score <70 in adjusted models. Conclusion: Neurodevelopmental outcome was not significantly associated with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI among extreme preterm infants.