Aims To describe the autonomic function of premature infants born between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation, without medical risk factors, at the age of 3 to 5 years and to assess whether it's possible to predict the appearance of autonomic deficits in these children at this age range.

Methods This follow-up study included 40 out of 55 premature infants born between weeks 28 and 32 during 2018 to 2020. During 2022 to 2023 parents were asked to report on medical and developmental follow-up and treatment, functional characteristics of the autonomic system, and the age at which walking was achieved.

Results Approximately 27% of the participants (11 out of 40) presented autonomic symptoms at 3 to 5 years of age. A predictive relationship was noted between the function of the heart rate control system near birth and the presence of autonomic dysfunctions at ages 3 to 5. Fourteen of 40 children received neurodevelopmental treatments. However, children with autonomic symptoms were not treated for their symptoms.

Conclusion These preliminary findings provide valuable insights into the autonomic function of children born premature and the potential predictive relationship between early autonomic measures and later autonomic dysfunctions. It also highlights the need for increased awareness and intervention strategies for addressing autonomic issues in premature infants to support their overall well-being.

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethical approval was received from the “Shaare Zedek” Hospital Ethics Committee to conduct the study and use the previous database (285-21 SZMP). All the parents signed informed consent at the NICU and agreed to participate in the follow-up study.

Substantial contributions to conception and design: all authors; acquisition of data: N.Z. and H.I.M.; analysis and interpretation of data: M.K.L., N.Z., and H.I.M.; drafting the article: M.K.L.; revising the paper critically: all authors; final approval of the version submitted for publication: all authors.

Received: 12 April 2024

Accepted: 13 June 2024

Article published online:
29 July 2024

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