Neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants with intestinal failure at 12 and 26 months corrected age

Background: Survival rates of infants with intestinal failure (IF) are increasing, yet multiple medical factors may impact development. Aims: This study examines neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12-15 and 26-32 months corrected age in a cohort of children with IF. Study Design: Prospective single centre neurodevelopmental assessments of children admitted to an intestinal rehabilitation program between 2011 and 2013. Outcome measures include: Mullen Scales of Early Learning (12 and 26 months), and Vineland-II Adaptive Behaviour Scales - Caregiver Report (26 months). Standard scores were correlated with medical and demographic factors. Results: Thirty-one children (17 males), median gestational age 34 weeks (IQR 30-36) with birth weight (BW) 2.12 kg (IQR 1.24-2.52). Ten (32.2%) were dependent on parental nutrition (PN) at the second assessment. At 12 months, 11/30 (36.7%) scored below average (>1SD below mean) on the early learning composite and 24/30 (80%) were below average on the gross motor subscale. Comparatively, at 26 months, mean early learning scores were significantly lower with >50% scoring below average. Mean gross motor scores remained low, and 14/27 (51.9%) were below average on the Vineland-II motor domain. At 12 months, factors significantly associated with lower scores are primarily related to prematurity. At 26 months, the impact of IF-related variables such as bowel length and PN days are more apparent. Conclusion: Children with IF are at risk of developmental