Abstract

Objective: Today, the survival rate of low-birth-weight infants has increased thanks to supportive care. However, various permanent health problems, especially neurodevelopmental retardation, can be seen in these infants. This study investigates the risk factors associated with neurodevelopmental retardation, especially hypocarbia, in this patient group.

Methods: All patients who were hospitalized in our neonatal ıntensive care unit between January 1 and December 31, 2016, with a gestational age of less than 32 weeks, without congenital anomalies, and who came for regular follow-up were included in this study. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were obtained retrospectively from file records. The neurodevelopment of the patients was evaluated between 18 and 24 months with the Bayley Scales of Infants and Toddler Development, Second Edition (Bayley-II).The demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters of the patients with and without neurodevelopmental retardation were compared.

Results: Neurodevelopmental retardation was observed in 9 (16.1%) of the 56 patients included in the study. No neurodevelopmental retardation was detected due to cerebral palsy, hearing impairment or visual impairment. When the patient groups with and without neurodevelopmental retardation were compared in terms of demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters, birth weight and first and fifth-minute Apgar scores were lower in patients with neurodevelopmental retardation, while mechanical ventilation requirement, reintubation, convulsion, patent ductus arteriosus treatment, hypotension, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, asphyxia, hyperglycemia and hypocarbia rate were higher (p<0.05).

Conclusion: While providing mechanical ventilation support, in addition to the negative effects of hypercarbia on neurodevelopment, the negative effects of hypocarbia on neurodevelopment should also be kept in mind.