The aim of this clinical trial is to learn if there is a correlation between the erythrocyte transfusion in the early neonatal period in premature infants and early and late complications of prematurity. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Do premature infants who receive blood transfusions within their first month of life have a higher risk of early prematurity complications, such as retinopathy of prematurity, necrotising enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and intraventricular haemorrhage? * Do premature infants who receive blood transfusions during their first month of life have worse neurological and neurodevelopmental outcomes than those who do not? The first part of the study is retrospective, using data collected from participants' histories. The second part is prospective, evaluating neurological and neurodevelopmental outcomes at the age of six years.
all children born as premature infants <32. weeks of gestation in Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka from June 2018. to December 2021. (and who will be on September 2025. six years old)
signed informed consent
genetic syndromes, severe congenital anomalies
The participants will be identified and selected by the primary care paediatricians in Primorsko-Goranska, Istarska, and Ličko-Senjska County (western part of Croatia)
Cohort
Cross-sectional
Wechsler Intelligence Test, performed by educated psychologists
Diagnostic testAt the age of six, parents of children who meet the inclusion criteria will receive a notification about the study from the responsible paediatrician. If they agree to participate, they will sign an informed consent form. They will then be invited to the clinic for a neurological and neurodevelopmental assessment. The neurological examination will be conducted by the principal investigator or collaborators who are paediatric specialists. The neurodevelopmental evaluation will be performed by a qualified psychologist using the Wechsler Intelligence Test. The Wechsler Intelligence Test for Children - Fourth Edition is a clinical tool for measuring the intelligence of children aged 6 to 16 years and 11 months. It assists in identifying specific learning difficulties, hyperactivity disorder, speech and language challenges, and intellectual impairments. The test comprises 15 subtests.
Motor function at the age of 6 years in premature infants who received erythrocyte transfusion compared to those who did not
The outcome measure is the motor function of premature infants (less than 32 weeks of gestation) at the age of 6 years who received erythrocyte transfusion in the neonatal period. The aim is to identify the proportion of participants with normal, mildly impaired, moderately impaired, or severely impaired motor function. The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) will be used to assess motor function. GMFCS is a standardized classification tool used to evaluate and describe motor function levels in children with cerebral palsy. It was created to offer a dependable framework for understanding restrictions in gross motor skills in children of different age groups. If The GMFCS score is 0, motor function is normal. Cerebral palsy will be classified as mild if the GMFCS score is 1, moderate if the GMFCS score is 2, and severe if the GMFCS score is 3 or higher. On the GMFCS scale, the minimum value is 0, and the maximum value is 5. The higher score means a worse outcome.
Hearing assessment at the age of 6 years in premature infants who received erythrocyte transfusion compared to those who did not
The aim is to identify the proportion of participants with normal and impaired hearing function. Hearing assessment depends on whether the child requires hearing aids. If the child needs hearing aids, the score will be 1; if not, the score will be 0. The minimum value is 0, and the maximum value is 1. A higher score means a worse outcome.
Visual assessment at the age of 6 years in premature infants who received erythrocyte transfusion compared to those who did not
The aim is to identify the proportion of participants with normal and impaired visual function. Visual assessment depends on whether the child requires visual aids. If the child needs visual aids, the score will be 1; if not, the score will be 0. The minimum value is 0, and the maximum value is 1. A higher score means a worse outcome.
Neurodevelopmental outcome of premature infants who received erythrocyte transfusion compared to those who did not
Neurodevelopmental assessment will be conducted using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV). It is a clinical tool for evaluating the intelligence of children aged 6 to 16 years and 11 months. The test includes 15 subtests - 10 core and 5 supplementary. Intellectual functioning in specific cognitive areas is also represented by four composite scores: the Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI), the Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI), the Working Memory Index (WMI), and the Information Processing Speed Index (PSI). The total test score (UIQ) is calculated based on the sum of scaled scores across the 10 core subtests. The resulting IQ scores are categorized as follows: 69 and below is extremely low; 70 to 79 is borderline; 80 to 89 is low average; 90 to 109 is average; 110 to 119 is high average; 120 to 129 is superior; and 130 and above is very superior. Minimum value is 40, and the maximum value is 200. The higher score means a better outcome.
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