Association of epidural analgesia in labor with neurodevelopmental outcomes in premature infants born at <29 weeks of gestational age

To explore associations between epidural administration to mothers in labor with neurodevelopmental outcomes at 3 years corrected age in preterm infants born <29 weeks gestational age.

Infants born <29 weeks gestational age between 2006 and 2012 were included. Our primary outcome was a composite of death or neurodevelopmental impairment at 3 years corrected age. Infants were divided into those whose mothers did or did not receive epidural analgesia in labor. Univariable and multivariable regression was used for analysis.

There were 548 infants in the no epidural analgesia group and 121 in the epidural analgesia group. The adjusted odds ratio (95%CI) of neurodevelopmental impairment or death in the epidural group was 1.25 (0.82–1.93). Propensity score-matched results were 1.32 (0.79–2.22).

Preterm infants born <29 weeks gestational age to mothers who received epidural analgesia during labor were not associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes at 3 years corrected age.