Emily A. Messick, Stephen A. Hart, Julie Strominger, Sara Conroy, Carl H. Backes, Clifford L. Cua
Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Ohio State University.
United States
Journal of Perinatology
J Perinatol 2025;
DOI: 10.1038/s41372-025-02384-0
Abstract
Objective: To examine differences in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) outcomes in neonates with Down syndrome (DS) by gestational age (GA) using a large national database
Study Design: Retrospective analysis of Pediatric Health Information System database, including neonates with DS admitted to the NICU <30 days old from 1/1/2008-12/31/2022. Neonates were stratified by GA (extremely preterm, very preterm, moderate/late preterm, term). GA-based risk differences were examined for NICU outcomes using term neonates as reference.
Results: Overall mortality rate was 7% with increasing mortality as GA decreased (RD 6.1 [95% CI 4.8, 7.5], RD 25.4 [95% CI 20.5, 30.6], RD 36.8 [95% CI 27.3, 46.8] for moderate/late preterm, very preterm, extremely preterm). The overall rate of pulmonary hypertension was 23% and 14% of the cohort required a gastrostomy tube.
Conclusion: Prematurity significantly increases risk of NICU mortality for neonates with DS. Rates of pulmonary hypertension and gastrostomy were high throughout all groups.
Category
Genetic Factors Associated with Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Age Focus: Pediatric Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Fresh or Filed Publication: Fresh (PHresh). Less than 1-2 years since publication
Article Access
Free PDF File or Full Text Article Available Through PubMed or DOI: Yes