title: Factors affecting short-term neurodevelopmental outcome in children operated on for major congenital anomalies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Identify clinical and socio-demographic risk-factors affecting short-term neurodevelopmental outcome (NDO) in children operated on for abdominal and thoracic congenital anomalies (CA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort observational study on newborns operated on for non-cardiac major CA. Evaluations were conducted at 6 and 12 months of age. Univariate linear regression and multivariate regression were conducted to analyze the impact on NDO of clinical and sociodemographic variables. Infants were evaluated with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-3rd Edition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One-hundred-fifty-five children were enrolled. They were affected by the following anomalies: Esophageal Atresia (N=41), Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (N=42), Midgut Malformations (N=34), Abdominal Wall Defects (N=18), Colorectal Malformations (N=20). There were no statistically significant differences among the five groups of CA as to NDO. Variables which reached statistical significance at multivariate regression (p≤0.001) at 6 and 12 months as to cognitive and motor development were: ventilatory time, associated malformations, medical appliances for feeding, number of surgery and length of hospital stay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the average, children born with CA show a NDO within normal range. The identified risk-factors could prompt health care professionals to conduct a close surveillance on most vulnerable children giving them the best chance to reach their full potential.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Clinical Psychology, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bevilacqua
authors.affiliation: Unit of Epidemiology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucilla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ravà
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatal Medicine and Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valfrè
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatal Medicine and Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Annabella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Braguglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaccara
authors.affiliation: Unit of Clinical Psychology, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Simonetta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatal Medicine and Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bagolan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatal Medicine and Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: lucia.aite@opbg.net.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aite
mesh_terms: D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000002:abnormalities; D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery; D065630:Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007422:Intestines / Q000002:abnormalities; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Neurodevelopmental outcome; Non-cardiac congenital malformations; Risk-factors