Is neurodevelopment impaired in Brazilian children with intestinal failure on prolonged parenteral nutrition? A single center study

Pediatr Surg Int. 2024 May 4;40(1):120. doi: 10.1007/s00383-024-05694-0.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the neurodevelopment outcomes of children younger than 42 months of age with intestinal failure (IF) using prolonged parenteral nutrition (PN) followed by a Pediatric Multidisciplinary Intestinal Rehabilitation Program from a public tertiary hospital in Brazil.

Methods: Bayley III scale was administered in children aged 2 to 42 months with IF and receiving PN for more than 60 days. Composite scores in cognitive, motor, and language domains were analyzed. Developmental delay was defined as a performance 2 standard deviations (SD) below the average at the 3 domains. Association between Bayley III composite scores and clinical variables related to IF were tested.

Results: Twenty-four children with median (IQR) age of 17.5 months (9-28.5) were studied, 58.3% were male. Developmental delay was found in 34%, 33% and 27% of the patients in cognitive, motor, and language domains, respectively. There was no significant association between the Bayley-III composite scores and length of hospitalization, prematurity, and number of surgical procedures with anesthesia.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated impairments in the cognitive, motor and language domains in approximately one-third of young patients with IF on prolonged PN.

Keywords: Bayley-III; Child; Intestinal failure; Neurodevelopment; Parenteral nutrition.

MeSH terms

  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Developmental Disabilities / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Intestinal Failure*
  • Male
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders / epidemiology
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders / etiology
  • Parenteral Nutrition* / methods
  • Parenteral Nutrition* / statistics & numerical data