Discrepancy between the survival rate and neuropsychological development in postsurgical extremely low-birth-weight infants: a retrospective study over two decades at a single institution

Retrospective 18-year study of 82 ELBWIs requiring surgery for NEC, FIP, or MRI shows improved survival rates over time (particularly for FIP: 20% to 71%), but persistent poor neurodevelopmental outcomes with mean DQ ~69 at follow-up. Findings highlight the need for less-invasive techniques and enhanced postoperative care to improve long-term development alongside survival gains.