BACKGROUND:Concentrations of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular, the ω-3 (n-3) fatty acid DHA and the ω-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA), decrease in infant blood during the first days after very preterm birth. OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to explore factors associated with blood DHA and AA concentrations of very preterm infants receiving standard care, in the days following birth. METHODS:We examined the fatty acid composition of whole blood samples collected on cards at 0-6 d after birth, from a cross-sectional study of 1174 infants born <29 weeks of gestation in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. RESULTS:Considerable variation was observed in the proportions of blood AA (1.4%-18.0%) and DHA (0.4%-5.7%) concentrations. Infant blood DHA status was not associated with gestational age at birth, but AA was lower by 0.11% for each week of gestation (95% CI: -0.07%, 0.15%). There was an inverse relationship between age of sampling after birth and DHA (0.07% lower per day; 95% CI: 0.04%, 0.09%) and AA (0.09% lower; 95% CI: 0.04%, 0.14%). A concomitant positive relationship was observed between days after birth and the fatty acids present in the intravenous lipid emulsion administered: ω-6 linoleic acid (range: 2.1%-35.1%) and ω-9 oleic acid (range: 12.2%-52.9%). CONCLUSIONS:Preterm infants whose blood was sampled later after birth have lower DHA and AA status relative to those sampled earlier after birth; samples taken at later timepoints are concurrently higher in the fatty acids of linoleic acid and oleic acid, which are the major compositional components of intravenous lipid emulsions routinely administered to preterm infants. The results support calls to develop intravenous feeds closely matching the fatty acid composition of infant blood at birth. The N3RO Trial is registered at the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry as ACTRN12612000503820 (https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12612000503820).

Importance:Children born at less than 29 weeks' gestation are at risk of behavioral difficulties. This may be due in part to the lack of transplacental supply of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a key fatty acid with structural and functional roles in the brain. Objective:To determine whether meeting the neonatal DHA requirement through supplementation is associated with improved behavioral functioning of children born at less than 29 weeks' gestation. Design, Setting and Participants:This was a follow-up of children from 10 Australian participating centers in a multi-center, blinded, parallel group randomized clinical trial of infants born at less than 29 weeks' gestation conducted from June 2012 and September 2015, excluding those with additional fatty acid supplementation or major congenital or chromosomal abnormalities. Follow-up took place from August 2018 to May 2021. Parents of surviving children who had not withdrawn from the original trial were invited to complete questionnaires when the child turned 5 years' corrected age. Interventions:Infants were randomized to receive daily enteral emulsions providing 60 mg/kg/d of DHA or a soy-oil emulsion (with no DHA) from within the first 3 days of enteral feeding until 36 weeks' postmenstrual age or discharge home, whichever occurred first. Main Outcomes and Measures:The primary outcome of this follow-up was parent-rated behavior and emotional functioning as indicated by the Total Difficulties score of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Parents also completed questionnaires about their child's behavioral manifestations of executive functioning, as well as a range of health outcomes to assess potential longer-term side effects of DHA intervention. Results:Primary outcome data were available for 731 children (76% of 958 surviving eligible children; 361 in the intervention group and 370 in the control group). Of these 731, 452 (47%) were female, and the mean (SD) corrected age at follow-up was 5.4 (0.5) years. Following imputation for missing data, the mean Total Difficulties score was the same in both groups (intervention group, n = 465; mean [SD], 11.8 [6.3]; control group, n = 493; mean [SD], 11.8 [6.0]; mean difference adjusted for sex, gestational age stratum, and hospital, 0.01; 95% CI, -0.87 to 0.89; P = .98). There was no evidence for differences between the groups in any secondary outcomes of behavior, executive functioning, or health. Conclusions and Relevance:In this follow-up of a randomized clinical trial, enteral DHA supplementation at the equivalent of the estimated in utero dose for infants born at less than 29 weeks' gestation did not improve behavioral functioning at age 5 years. There were no indications of adverse effects with DHA supplementation. Trial Registration:Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry: ACTRN12612000503820.

Objectives Considerable variation and little objective evidence exists to guide the use of supplemental oxygen therapy in infants with neonatal chronic lung disease (nCLD) after hospital discharge. We developed a new policy utilizing regular oximetry downloads to help determine commencement and titration of low flow oxygen. The aim of this policy is to improve safety and uniformity in practice and potentially lead to improvements in outcomes including the number of infants being discharged on home oxygen therapy (HOT) and length of stay (LOS). Methods This single-centre pre- and post-implementation study included 86 and 94 infants <32 weeks' gestation (pre- vs. post-implementation) meeting definition of nCLD. The primary outcomes were (1) successful implementation of the new policy, (2) changes in number of patients discharged on HOT and (3) in LOS. Secondary outcomes were changes in feeding mode at discharge, total length of HOT, readmission to hospital within the first year of life and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 8 months post menstrual age amongst infants treated with HOT. Results The policy was successfully implemented with 100 % of infants with nCLD receiving downloads in the post-implementation epoch. Pre-implementation 36 % (31 of 85) of infants with nCLD were treated with HOT vs. 17 % (16 of 94) post-implementation (p=0.03). There was no significant difference in LOS or any of the secondary outcomes. Conclusions A protocolised approach to decision making using predetermined parameters regarding the need for supplemental oxygen in neonates with nCLD is practical and achievable and may result in fewer neonates requiring HOT.

Background/Aims The incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is increasing and treatment options are expanding, often without accompanying safety data. We aimed to define a minimal, patient-centred data set that is feasible to collect in clinical practice and can be used collaboratively to track and compare outcomes of ROP treatment with a view to improving patient outcomes. Methods A multinational group of clinicians and a patient representative with expertise in ROP and registry development collaborated to develop a data set that focused on real-world parameters and outcomes that were patient centred, minimal and feasible to collect in routine clinical practice. Results For babies receiving ROP treatment, we recommend patient demographics, systemic comorbidities, ROP status, treatment details, ophthalmic and systemic complications of treatment, ophthalmic and neurodevelopmental outcomes at initial treatment, any episodes of retreatment and follow-up examinations in the short and long-term to be collected for use in ROP studies, registries and routine clinical practice. Conclusions We recommend these parameters to be used in registries and future studies of ROP treatment, to reduce the variation seen in previous reports and allow meaningful assessments and comparisons. They form the basis of the EU-ROP and the Fight Childhood Blindness! ROP Registries.

BackgroundVery preterm children are at increased risk of language delays. Concerns have been raised about the utility of standardised English language tools to diagnose language delay in linguistically diverse children. Our study investigated the incidence of language delay at 4 years in linguistically diverse very preterm children.MethodsVery preterm children born in South Western Sydney, Australia, between 2012 and 2016, were assessed with the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals Preschool-2 (CELF-P2) tool at 4 years of age. We sought to determine the incidence of language delay in this cohort using language scores from the CELF-P2 assessment tool, and explore potential predictors associated with language delay.ResultsOne hundred and sixty very preterm children attended the 4-year assessment out of the included 270 long-term survivors. At 4 years, 76 (52%) very preterm children had language delay diagnosed using the CELF-P2 assessment tool. Children who preferred a language other than English had lower average core language scores on the CELF-P2 assessment tool (75.1±14.4) compared with children that preferred English (86.5±17.9); p=0.002. Very preterm children growing up in households that preferenced a language other than English and those who were born from multiple births had higher odds of language delay at 4 years (AOR 10.30 (95% CI 2.82 to 38.28); p<0.001 and AOR 2.93 (95% CI 1.20 to 7.14); p=0.018, respectively). Assessing these children using an English language tool may have affected language scores at 4 years.ConclusionsIn this metropolitan setting, very preterm children from linguistically diverse backgrounds were found to be vulnerable to language delays at 4 years. Further large-scale studies evaluating the language outcomes of linguistically diverse preterm children with more culturally appropriate tools are warranted. We question the utility of standardised English language tools to assess language outcomes of linguistically diverse populations.

Introduction Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid that accumulates into neural tissue during the last trimester of pregnancy, as the fetal brain is undergoing a growth spurt. Infants born <29 weeks’ gestation are deprived the normal in utero supply of DHA during this period of rapid brain development. Insufficient dietary DHA postnatally may contribute to the cognitive impairments common among this population. This follow-up of the N-3 fatty acids for improvement in respiratory outcomes (N3RO) randomised controlled trial aims to determine if enteral DHA supplementation in infants born <29 weeks’ gestation during the first months of life improves cognitive development at 5 years of age corrected for prematurity. Methods and analysis N3RO was a randomised controlled trial of enteral DHA supplementation (60 mg/kg/day) or a control emulsion (without DHA) in 1273 infants born <29 weeks’ gestation to determine the effect on bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We showed that DHA supplementation did not reduce the risk of BPD and may have increased the risk. In this follow-up at 5 years’ corrected age, a predefined subset (n=655) of children from five Australian sites will be invited to attend a cognitive assessment with a psychologist. Children will be administered the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (fourth edition) and a measure of inhibitory control (fruit stroop), while height, weight and head circumference will be measured. The primary outcome is full-scale IQ. To ensure 90% power, a minimum of 592 children are needed to detect a four-point difference in IQ between the groups. Research personnel and families remain blinded to group assignment. Ethics and dissemination The Women’s and Children Health Network Human Research Ethics Committee reviewed and approved the study (HREC/17/WCHN/187). Caregivers will give informed consent prior to taking part in this follow-up study. Findings of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Trial registration number ACTRN12612000503820.

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify how Family Integrated Care (FICare) affected maternal stress and anxiety. Study Design: This secondary analysis of the FICare cluster randomised controlled trial included infants born between 1 April 2013 and 31 August 2015 at ≤33 weeks’ gestation. Mothers completed the PSS:NICU and STAI questionnaires at enrolment and study day 21. Results: 1383 mothers completed the surveys at one or both time-points. The mean PSS:NICU and STAI scores at day 21 were significantly lower in the FICare mothers than controls (PSS:NICU mean [standard deviation] FICare 2.32 [0.75], control 2.48 [0.78], p = 0.0005; STAI FICare 70.8 [20.0], control 74.2 [19.6], p = 0.0004). The sights and sounds, looks and behaviour, and parental role PSS:NICU subscales and the state and trait STAI subscales were all significantly different between FIC are and controls at day 21. The magnitude of change in all stress and anxiety subscales was greater in the FICare group than controls. These differences remained significant after adjustment for confounders with the greatest change in the parental role (least-squares mean [95% confidence interval] FICare −0.65 [−0.72, 0.57], control −0.31 [−0.38, −0.24], p < 0.0001) and state anxiety subscales. Conclusion: FICare is effective at reducing NICU-related maternal stress and anxiety.

Neonates born very preterm (before 32 weeks' gestational age), are a significant public health concern because of their high-risk of mortality and life-long disability. In addition, caring for very preterm neonates can be expensive, both during their initial hospitalization and their long-term cost of permanent impairments. To address these issues, national and regional neonatal networks around the world collect and analyse data from their constituents to identify trends in outcomes, and conduct benchmarking, audit and research. Improving neonatal outcomes and reducing health care costs is a global problem that can be addressed using collaborative approaches to assess practice variation between countries, conduct research and implement evidence-based practices. The International Network for Evaluating Outcomes (iNeo) of neonates was established in 2013 with the goal of improving outcomes for very preterm neonates through international collaboration and comparisons. To date, 10 national or regional population-based neonatal networks/datasets participate in iNeo collaboration. The initiative now includes data on >200,000 very preterm neonates and has conducted important epidemiological studies evaluating outcomes, variations and trends. The collaboration has also surveyed >320 neonatal units worldwide to learn about variations in practices, healthcare service delivery, and physical, environmental and manpower related factors and support services for parents. The iNeo collaboration serves as a strong international platform for Neonatal-Perinatal health services research that facilitates international data sharing, capacity building, and global efforts to improve very preterm neonate care.

Objectives To describe variability in admission volumes and approach to early respiratory support between neonatal intensive care units in the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network and to evaluate whether these center-specific factors are associated with death and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Study design This retrospective cohort study included 19 099 neonates born between 25 and 32 weeks' gestation and admitted to 1 of 25 NICUs from 2007 to 2013. Center-specific factors evaluated were annual admission volume and rate of using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) rather than intubation as the first mode of respiratory support. Logistic regression was used to examine any association of these center-specific factors with death, BPD, and death or survival with BPD (death/BPD). Analysis was performed separately for 2 gestation groups (25-28 weeks and 29-32 weeks inclusive). Results Admission volumes and rates of early CPAP use varied widely across centers. Higher admission volumes were associated with lower odds of death or survival with BPD in the 25-28 week group (aOR 0.93, 99% CI 0.88-0.99 per increase of 10 babies per center annually). Centers with higher early CPAP use did not have lower odds of death or BPD than centers that intubated more frequently. Conclusions Higher admission volumes are associated with more favorable outcomes for the more preterm infants in the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network. Further investigation is required to explore why the individual benefits of early CPAP do not translate to better outcomes for centers that use this approach most frequently.

AimTo evaluate trends in admission temperature and its effect on mortality and short‐term morbidities in extremely preterm infants.MethodsA regional cohort study of infants born at 23–28 weeks’ gestation and admitted to the 10 neonatal intensive care units in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory between 1994 and 2012. Hypothermia was defined as skin temperature <36°C on admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. The primary outcome was hospital mortality.ResultsIn total, 6267 infants were included. Mean admission temperatures improved significantly from 35.6°C in 1994 to 36.4°C in 2012 (R < 0.88). The incidence of hypothermia was 29.5 and 13.9% between 1994–2005 and 2006–2012, respectively. In comparison with normothermic infants, hypothermic infants had lower gestational age at birth (26 vs. 27 weeks) and lower birthweight (800 vs. 976 g). In‐hospital mortality was higher in hypothermic infants (28.5 vs. 12.9%; odds ratio (OR) 2.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.37–3.06). Severe intraventricular haemorrhage (12.1 vs. 8.5%, OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.25–1.75), necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) (11.0 vs. 7.5%; OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.29–1.83) and severe retinopathy of prematurity (16.5 vs. 8.9%; OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.70–2.39) were significantly higher in hypothermic infants. Multivariate regression analysis showed hypothermia was an independent risk factor for increased mortality (AOR (adjusted odds ratio ) 1.50, 95% CI 1.29–1.74, P < 0.001) and NEC (AOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.05–1.55, P = 0.01).ConclusionsAdmission temperatures improved during the time period. Hypothermia at admission was associated with a significant increase in mortality and NEC.

AimThis study aimed to provide updated information on gestation‐specific neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely to very preterm infants 23–28 weeks' gestation admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).MethodsThis was a population‐based retrospective cohort study of infants born between 23+0 and 28+6 weeks' gestation and admitted to a network of NICUs between 2007 and 2012 in a well‐defined geographic area of New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Primary outcome was moderate to severe neurodevelopmental impairment.ResultsOf 2287 infants admitted to NICUs, 1914 (83.7%) survived to discharge, and 1514 (79.8% = 1514/1897) were followed up. Moderate to severe neurodevelopmental impairment was 11% overall, and the incidence decreased with increasing gestational age (GA): 25, 23, 15, 13, 9 and 7% at 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 weeks, respectively. Male gender, major intraventricular haemorrhage, late‐onset sepsis, chronic lung disease and post‐natal corticosteroid therapy were found to be independently associated with increased risk of moderate to severe impairment. Compared with an incidence of 16% in the 1998–2004 cohort, there was a significant reduction in moderate to severe neurodevelopmental impairment in the current cohort (unadjusted odds ratio: 0.65, 95% confidence interval: 0.52–0.80).ConclusionsWe report the latest neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely to very preterm infants in NSW and the ACT. Neurodevelopmental outcome rates based on GA alone may not provide the true estimate as these outcomes can vary based on the presence or absence of other relevant perinatal factors.

BACKGROUNDStudies in animals and in humans have suggested that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, might reduce the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, but appropriately designed trials are lacking.METHODSWe randomly assigned 1273 infants born before 29 weeks of gestation (stratified according to sex, gestational age [<27 weeks or 27 to <29 weeks], and center) within 3 days after their first enteral feeding to receive either an enteral emulsion providing DHA at a dose of 60 mg per kilogram of body weight per day or a control (soy) emulsion without DHA until 36 weeks of postmenstrual age. The primary outcome was bronchopulmonary dysplasia, defined on a physiological basis (with the use of oxygen-saturation monitoring in selected infants), at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age or discharge home, whichever occurred first.RESULTSA total of 1205 infants survived to the primary outcome assessment. Of the 592 infants assigned to the DHA group, 291 (49.1% by multiple imputation) were classified as having physiological bronchopulmonary dysplasia, as compared with 269 (43.9%) of the 613 infants assigned to the control group (relative risk adjusted for randomization strata, 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 1.25; P = 0.02). The composite outcome of physiological bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death before 36 weeks of postmenstrual age occurred in 52.3% of the infants in the DHA group and in 46.4% of the infants in the control group (adjusted relative risk, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.23; P = 0.045). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the rates of death or any other neonatal illnesses. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia based on a clinical definition occurred in 53.2% of the infants in the DHA group and in 49.7% of the infants in the control group (P = 0.06).CONCLUSIONSEnteral DHA supplementation at a dose of 60 mg per kilogram per day did not result in a lower risk of physiological bronchopulmonary dysplasia than a control emulsion among preterm infants born before 29 weeks of gestation and may have resulted in a greater risk.

Ian Callander, Jacqueline Stack Liverpool Hospital Background: The “Golden Opportunity” clinical practice improvement (CPI) project was started at Liverpool hospital in 2014 and participates in the NICUS ePREM72 CPI, which focuses on management of Extremely Low Gestational Age Neonates (ELGAN) within the first 72 hours of life. Method: Using translational research and principles of CPI we hold monthly meetings to develop and review a consistent approach to team management of ELGAN. The protocol continues to evolve as each case is individually reviewed and specifies the use of equipment and the role of 2 nurses and 2 doctors with the aim of maximising expertise and efficiency whilst minimising intervention to the baby. Results: During the first 72 hours for babies < 26 weeks 80% of babies are now managed only on CPAP compared to 50% previously; 85% of babies have no umbilical catheters compared to 35% previously; 95% of babies are not given inotropes compared with 80% previously. There is also a trend toward lower rates of death, major IVH, and NEC with no worsening of any other outcomes. Conclusions: Liverpool NICU has been able to dramatically reduce the interventions given to ELGAN without any detriment and indeed have apparently improved short-term stability and outcomes. Although there has been a trend across NSW/ACT toward reduction in interventions, the practice at Liverpool is dramatically different from the other hospitals on benchmarking reports. This presentation outlines the process of the Liverpool “Golden Opportunity” CPI project.

BACKGROUNDThe safest ranges of oxygen saturation in preterm infants have been the subject of debate.METHODSIn two trials, conducted in Australia and the United Kingdom, infants born before 28 weeks' gestation were randomly assigned to either a lower (85 to 89%) or a higher (91 to 95%) oxygen-saturation range. During enrollment, the oximeters were revised to correct a calibration-algorithm artifact. The primary outcome was death or disability at a corrected gestational age of 2 years; this outcome was evaluated among infants whose oxygen saturation was measured with any study oximeter in the Australian trial and those whose oxygen saturation was measured with a revised oximeter in the U.K. trial.RESULTSAfter 1135 infants in Australia and 973 infants in the United Kingdom had been enrolled in the trial, an interim analysis showed increased mortality at a corrected gestational age of 36 weeks, and enrollment was stopped. Death or disability in the Australian trial (with all oximeters included) occurred in 247 of 549 infants (45.0%) in the lower-target group versus 217 of 545 infants (39.8%) in the higher-target group (adjusted relative risk, 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98 to 1.27; P=0.10); death or disability in the U.K. trial (with only revised oximeters included) occurred in 185 of 366 infants (50.5%) in the lower-target group versus 164 of 357 infants (45.9%) in the higher-target group (adjusted relative risk, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.24; P=0.15). In post hoc combined, unadjusted analyses that included all oximeters, death or disability occurred in 492 of 1022 infants (48.1%) in the lower-target group versus 437 of 1013 infants (43.1%) in the higher-target group (relative risk, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.23; P=0.02), and death occurred in 222 of 1045 infants (21.2%) in the lower-target group versus 185 of 1045 infants (17.7%) in the higher-target group (relative risk, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.43; P=0.04). In the group in which revised oximeters were used, death or disability occurred in 287 of 580 infants (49.5%) in the lower-target group versus 248 of 563 infants (44.0%) in the higher-target group (relative risk, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.27; P=0.07), and death occurred in 144 of 587 infants (24.5%) versus 99 of 586 infants (16.9%) (relative risk, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.82; P=0.001).CONCLUSIONSUse of an oxygen-saturation target range of 85 to 89% versus 91 to 95% resulted in nonsignificantly higher rates of death or disability at 2 years in each trial but in significantly increased risks of this combined outcome and of death alone in post hoc combined analyses. (Funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and others; BOOST-II Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN00842661, and Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number, ACTRN12605000055606.)

OBJECTIVE: Not many large studies have reported the true impact of lower-grade intraventricular hemorrhages in preterm infants. We studied the neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely preterm infants in relation to the severity of intraventricular hemorrhage. METHODS: A regional cohort study of infants born at 23 to 28 weeks’ gestation and admitted to a NICU between 1998 and 2004. Primary outcome measure was moderate to severe neurosensory impairment at 2 to 3 years’ corrected age defined as developmental delay (developmental quotient >2 SD below the mean), cerebral palsy, bilateral deafness, or bilateral blindness. RESULTS: Of the 1472 survivors assessed, infants with grade III–IV intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH; n = 93) had higher rates of developmental delay (17.5%), cerebral palsy (30%), deafness (8.6%), and blindness (2.2%). Grade I–II IVH infants (n = 336) also had increased rates of neurosensory impairment (22% vs 12.1%), developmental delay (7.8% vs 3.4%), cerebral palsy (10.4% vs 6.5%), and deafness (6.0% vs 2.3%) compared with the no IVH group (n = 1043). After exclusion of 40 infants with late ultrasound findings (periventricular leukomalacia, porencephaly, ventricular enlargement), isolated grade I–II IVH (n = 296) had increased rates of moderate-severe neurosensory impairment (18.6% vs 12.1%). Isolated grade I–II IVH was also independently associated with a higher risk of neurosensory impairment (adjusted odds ratio 1.73, 95% confidence interval 1.22–2.46). CONCLUSIONS: Grade I–II IVH, even with no documented white matter injury or other late ultrasound abnormalities, is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely preterm infants.

The diagnosis of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in a medical officer working in a metropolitan Australian neonatal intensive care unit led to a contact investigation involving 125 neonates, 165 relatives, and 122 healthcare workers with varying degrees of exposure. There was no evidence of nosocomial tuberculosis transmission from the index case.

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Aims: To describe the developmental progress of very premature babies at the age of 2 years, who were managed in an era where nasal prong continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was the preferred method for the management of initial respiratory disease.Methods: Two groups of very premature babies of < 32 weeks gestation were compared, the first being managed with an intubation and mandatory ventilation approach, and the second being managed with a CPAP approach. The groups are compared with regard to the presence of brain injury, retinopathy and requiring discharge home on oxygen and then at 2 years, for language impairment, non-ambulatory cerebral palsy and significant developmental delay. The study is designed as an audit of data collected prospectively and longitudinally for babies born from 1998 to 2002.Results: A significant number of babies were successfully managed on CPAP in the second era and significantly fewer received post-natal steroids. The number being discharged home on oxygen, brain injury and retinopathy were similar in the two groups. Developmental outcome assessed at 2 years of age was the same in both eras.Conclusions: A CPAP approach to the management of initial respiratory disease in premature babies of less than 32 weeks gestation at birth is associated with no measurable developmental advantage or disadvantage at 2 years of age.