Mortality and Causes of Death in Preterm Infants with Down Syndrome by Gestational Age

This retrospective study of 416 infants with Down syndrome hospitalized over 27 years analyzed survival rates and causes of death stratified by gestational age, finding that mortality decreased significantly with increasing gestational age (40% at <32 weeks to 3% at >36 weeks). The leading causes of death varied by gestational age group, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, transient abnormal myelopoiesis, and lymphatic dysplasia, with implications for neonatal counseling and management.