Clinically significant gastroesophageal reflux in the at-risk premature neonate: relation to cognitive scores, days in the NICU, and total hospital charges.

Even though clinically significant GER may pose a substantial medical risk in premature infants, the long-term cognitive consequences appear to be negligible. Nevertheless, those premature infants with clinically significant GER do consume significantly more hospital resources than matched controls. Early diagnosis and intervention may possibly lessen the impact of medical costs and reduce length of hospital stay.