Gender differences in mortality and developmental outcome at 24 months' corrected age in very preterm infants

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the gender differences in mortality, mental and motor development in very preterm infants, and to identify medical and social factors associated with these outcomes. Methods: All live-born preterm infants 24 0/7–31 6/7 gestational weeks in Switzerland in 2000 (n=673) were included in the Swiss Minimal Neonatal Dataset, 347 males (51.6%) and 326 females (48.4%). The survivors were surveyed and underwent mental and motor development assessment by Bayley II or Griffith Scale at 24 months' corrected for prematurity (follow-up rate 73%). Results: Mortality was 1…