Adverse neurodevelopment after multiple sepsis and/or necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants: revisiting single-episode paradigm

Multiple episodes of sepsis and/or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) significantly increase the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) and death in preterm infants. However, a single episode of sepsis alone was not associated with the risk of NDI and NDI or death in the study population. When evaluating the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants, it is crucial to recognize that a single episode of sepsis may have a lesser impact on NDI compared to recurrent systemic inflammation or NEC episodes.