WIP 96 - The Effects of a Single-family Room Versus Multi-family Room NICU on Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Developmental Scores Between 24-36 months in Infants Born at Less than 30 Weeks Gestational Age

Poster Number: WIP 96
Publication Number: WIP 96.2489

Background: Studies have shown benefits of single-family room versus multi-family room open bay neonatal intensive care units (NICU) including reduced hospital stay, improved lactation and more family centered care. The effect on neurodevelopmental outcomes is still unclear. The neonatal intensive care unit at John R. Oishei children's hospital is uniquely positioned to analyze this impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes. Prior to 2017, infants were admitted to Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo in multi-family room styled neonatal intensive care rooms and subsequently infants were admitted to the new single-family room NICU.

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine if admission to a single-family room versus multi-family room NICU has any effect on Bayley 3-4 scores at 24-36 months of age in infants born less than 30 weeks gestation.

Design/Methods: This is a retrospective review study of 109 infants born < 30 weeks gestational age and hospitalized in either the multi-family room NICU or the single-family room NICU at our center between 2013-2021. Patient data was collected as a part of the Neonatal Research Network studies and re-analyzed for our study. Standardized developmental testing using Bayley 3 or 4 was completed between 24-36 months. Differences in composite developmental scores in cognitive, language and motor domains were evaluated. A univariate Mann-Whitney U test will be performed to assess the differences in Bayley domain developmental scores among babies cared for in the single vs. multi-family room NICU. Second, for each development score, a set of generalized linear regression models will be used to compare the single vs multi-room effects on the composite Bayley domain score while controlling for factors such as gestational age, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, small for gestational age status, birth weight, infant sex and maternal education. IRB approval pending and results anticipated to be completed within 1 month of approval.