Maternal neighborhood deprivation and its association with early childhood neurodevelopmental impairment in extremely preterm infants
- Journal
- Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association (Q1)
- Published
- 10 September 2026
- Study design
- Retrospective cohort
- Evidence level
- Level 3, Low (CEBM 3b)
- Authors
- Cherise Brackett, Stephanie Diggs, Lisa Letzkus, Angela Gummadi, Colm P Travers, Rachel Benz, et al.
- PMID
- 42722772
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41372-026-02898-1
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Neonatology (paper of the day, 13 September 2026): Maternal deprivation linked to neurodevelopment in EP infants
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate whether maternal Area Deprivation Index (ADI) is associated with neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at age 2 in extremely preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of infants <29 weeks' gestation at four NICUs spanning multiple US regions. We analyzed the relationship between ADI and NDI, defined as no/mild, moderate, or severe based on the lowest component score on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development exam, using a Bayesian ordinal cumulative logit hurdle model. Adjustments included sex, birthweight, maternal race/ethnicity, outborn, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, and late-onset sepsis or necrotizing enterocolitis. RESULTS: Of 1278 infants studied, 275 underwent a Bayley exam. Lower birthweight, male sex, and inborn status were associated with undergoing a Bayley exam. Higher ADI, lower birthweight, male sex, and late-onset sepsis were linked to more severe NDI. ADI was independently associated with NDI risk. CONCLUSION: Maternal deprivation measured by ADI was associated with NDI risk.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.