Neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age in preterm infants with late-onset sepsis

Late-onset sepsis is associated with impaired neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants. This prospective cohort study aims to establish the effect of sepsis after 72 h of life on cognitive, psychomotor, and language development of preterm infants (below 32 weeks gestational age and/or below 1500 g). At 2 years corrected age, neurodevelopmental outcome was tested using Bayley’s Scales of Infant Development-II, Lexilijst (lexical development questionnaire), and behavior checklists. Of 117 patients included, 85 experienced blood culture–proven infection. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were responsible for 55% of the episodes. No significant differences were found in cognitive, motor, and behavioral scores or lexiquotient comparing patients with versus no proven infection. When comparing three groups (coagulase-negative staphylococci, other, and negative blood culture), a significant difference was found in composite cognitive scores (p = 0.016), in favor of the coagulase-negative staphylococci group versus other causal agent group (p = 0.007). No significant differences were found in other subscales. Conclusion: In this cohort, no differences were found in neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years corrected age between proven and no proven infection groups; confirmation in larger cohorts with a control group is needed. Patients encountering coagulase-negative staphylococci sepsis showed a significant better cognitive outcome compared to other causal agents.What is Known:• Late-onset sepsis is associated with impaired neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants.What is New:• Preterm infants encountering late-onset sepsis by coagulase-negative staphylococci show a better cognitive outcome in comparison to other causal infectious agents in this cohort.• No differences were found in neurodevelopment at 2 years of age in preterm infants with suspected lateonset sepsis, between proven and no proven infection groups. Confirmation is needed in larger cohorts with a substantial control group.