Growth trajectory and neurodevelopmental outcome in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of impaired growth on short-term neurodevelopmental (ND) outcomes in CDH survivors. Between 9/2005–12/2014, 84 of 215 (39%) CDH survivors underwent ND assessment at 12months of age using the BSID-III. Mean cognitive, language, and motor scores were 92.6±13.5, 87.1±11.6, and 87.0±14.4, respectively (normal 100±15). 51% of patients scored 1 SD below the population mean in at least one domain, and 13% scored 2 SD below the population mean. Group-based trajectory analysis identified two trajectory groups (‘high’ and ‘low’) for weight, length, and head circumference (HC) z-scores. (Fig. 1) 74% of the subjects were assigned to the ‘high’ trajectory group for weight, 77% to the ‘high’ height group, and 87% to the ‘high’ HC group, respectively. In multivariate analysis, longer NICU stay (p