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Association of hyperglycemia in extremely preterm infants with neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 months of corrected age

Journal of Perinatology volume 45, pages 1370–1376 (2025)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the impact of hyperglycemia on the neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely preterm infants.

Study design

This single-center retrospective cohort study enrolled extremely preterm infants born at <28 weeks of gestation. Hyperglycemia was defined as a blood glucose level of >15 mmol/L. The Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development at 18 months of corrected age was used for neurodevelopmental assessment, and a developmental quotient (DQ) of ≥85 was defined as normal.

Results

Among the 102 surviving extremely preterm infants, 54 (53%) had hyperglycemia. The hyperglycemia group had lower DQ (81.0 ± 19.3 vs. 91.1 ± 15.3, P < 0.01) and decreased normal DQ rate (37% vs. 75%, P < 0.001). In the multiple logistic regression models, hyperglycemia was significantly associated with lower normal DQ rates (P = 0.03).

Conclusion

Hyperglycemia, defined as a blood glucose level of >15 mmol/L, was independently negatively associated with normal DQ after adjusting for confounders.

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Data availability

All datasets generated or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan

    Yohei Minamitani, Kazusa Nakajima & Fumihiko Namba

Authors
  1. Yohei Minamitani
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  2. Kazusa Nakajima
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  3. Fumihiko Namba
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Contributions

Y.M. performed the study design, data collection, statistical analyses, drafted the initial manuscript, and revised the manuscript. K.N. made substantial contributions to the study design and interpretation of data and revised the manuscript. F.N. provided supervision throughout the entire process and made substantial contributions to the study design, interpretation of data and revision of the manuscript. All authors have read the draft and approved the final manuscript as submitted.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yohei Minamitani.

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Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Ethics approval

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University (approval number: 2024-048). This retrospective observational study was conducted using the opt-out method on our hospital website with a waiver of additional written informed consent. All methods used in this study were conducted in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations.

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Minamitani, Y., Nakajima, K. & Namba, F. Association of hyperglycemia in extremely preterm infants with neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 months of corrected age. J Perinatol 45, 1370–1376 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-025-02388-w

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