Abstract
Congenital infections, often asymptomatic for both mother and fetus, can affect neurodevelopment. This study aimed to analyze neurodevelopmental outcomes and associated risk factors in preterm children with and without congenital STORCH infections. A case-control study was conducted, with children assessed longitudinally. A retrospective case-control study was conducted including 248 preterm children. The control group showed higher cognitive and language scores than the STORCH case-group. The STORCH case-group had a significant decline in cognitive scores from 6 to 18 months (p<0.05), although their motor scores improved from 6 to 24 months (p<0.05). Risk factors for neurodevelopment in the STORCH case-group included APGAR, NICU seizures and stay, familyincome, sepsis, and twin birth (beta 0.27-0.49). For the control-group, risk factors included NICU seizures and stay, APGAR, family income, sepsis, mechanical ventilation, maternal education, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (beta 0.12-0.31). Children with STORCH infections showed poorer cognitive and language development. Early prevention of STORCH infections is crucial to prevent negative developmental outcomes.