The objective of this study was to determine the association of unplanned extubations (UEs) in preterm infants with neurodevelopmental outcomes (NDO). This is retrospective, matched cohort study in a level IV academic NICU from 2014 to 2018. Very low birth weight infants admitted <72 h of birth, without congenital anomalies, who were ventilated for ≥1 h, and had neurodevelopmental follow-up data were included. Exposure was the occurrence of one or more UE. NDO were measured with Bayley Scales of Infant Development (3rd edition). One hundred and seventy-nine infants met inclusion criteria. Infants with a UE had a longer post-matching duration of mechanical ventilation (median 11 vs. 4 days) compared to controls. Cases had similar motor composite scores (aOR = 0.58, 95% CI = [0.25–1.38]) but lower cognitive scores in adjusted models (aOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.14–0.8). Unplanned extubations were associated with poorer cognitive outcomes but were not associated with poorer motor or language outcomes.
- Alexandra Golden
- Mary Lauren Neel
- L. Dupree Hatch III
