Does faster weight trajectory lead to improved neurodevelopmental outcomes in ELBW infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia?

Objective: Examine the relationship between weight trajectory and 2-year neurodevelopmental outcomes for extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants with BPD. Study design: Secondary analysis of infants born from 2010 to 2019. The predictor was BPD severity and the outcome was neurodevelopmental impairment, defined as any Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) III score <70 at 24 months’ corrected age. Repeated measures logistic regression was performed. Results: In total, 5042 infants were included. Faster weight trajectory was significantly associated with a decreased probability of having at least one BSID III score <70 for infants with grade 1–2 BPD (p < 0.0001) and an increased probability of at least one BSID III score <70 for infants with grade 3 BPD (p < 0.009). There was no significant association between weight trajectory and BSID III score <70 for infants with grade 0 BPD. Conclusion: The association between postnatal weight trajectory and neurodevelopmental outcome in this study differs by BPD severity.