The influence of prematurity on neonatal surgical morbidity and mortality.
BACKGROUND
As survival rates amongst premature infants have improved, prematurity remains a leading contributor to neonatal surgical morbidity and mortality. This study aims to better assess the influence of prematurity on surgical outcomes.


METHODS
The NSQIP-Pediatric database was used to compare outcomes between preterm and term infants undergoing surgical repair of select congenital anomalies from 2012 to 2017. Prematurity was categorized as extremely preterm (EP) (<29 weeks), very preterm (VP) (29-32 weeks), moderate to late preterm (MLP) (33-36 weeks), and term (≥37 weeks). Significance was determined using Chi-square tests, Fisher exact tests and adjusted logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
4852 infants were identified with 45 (0.9%) EP, 211 (4.3%) VP, 1492 (30.8%) MLP, and 3104 (64.0%) term. Compared to term, preterm infants have increased odds of surgical morbidity (EP Odds Ratio (OR) 3.2 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.6-6.4, VP OR 1.2 95%CI 0.9-1.7, and MLP OR 1.2 95%CI 1.0-1.4). 30-day mortality decreased as neonatal age increased from 22.2% EP to 2.9% term (p < 0.001). Premature populations had higher rates of sepsis, pneumonia, bleeding requiring transfusion and 30-day mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Prematurity increases morbidity and mortality amongst neonates undergoing surgery. Risk-adjustment for prematurity is needed and premature infants may have unique quality improvement targets.


LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level III.
['Skertich|Nicholas J|NJ|', 'Ingram|Martha-Conley E|ME|', 'Ritz|Ethan|E|', 'Shah|Ami N|AN|', 'Raval|Mehul V|MV|']
D002648:Child D006801:Humans D007223:Infant D007226:Infant Mortality D007231:Infant, Newborn D007234:Infant, Premature D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases D009017:Morbidity D016017:Odds Ratio D018805:Sepsis
Prematurity Congenital anomalies ACS NSQIP Complications Pediatric surgery