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Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
Adult outcome of extremely preterm infants
Lex W Doyle1, Peter J Anderson
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. lwd@unimelb.edu.au
Insights
Survival rates for extremely preterm infants are improving. While most survivors are healthy, pediatricians should monitor for potential long-term health issues into adulthood.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Perinatal Care
Background:
- Survival rates for extremely preterm infants (<28 weeks' gestational age) have significantly improved due to advancements in perinatal and neonatal intensive care.
- While many survivors of extreme prematurity experience no long-term health issues, as a group, they exhibit higher incidences of adverse health outcomes.
- These individuals will increasingly interact with pediatricians and later adult physicians, necessitating awareness of their unique health trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To inform pediatricians about the long-term health outcomes of extremely preterm infants.
- To guide healthcare providers in managing the transition to adult care for survivors of extreme prematurity.
- To highlight the importance of monitoring nutritional, cardiovascular, respiratory, motor, cognitive, psychiatric, and functional development into adulthood.
Main Methods:
- This abstract is based on a review of current medical understanding and clinical observations.
- It synthesizes information regarding the health status of extremely preterm infants who survive into childhood and adulthood.
- The focus is on identifying common and potential adverse outcomes relevant to pediatric and adult care.
Main Results:
- Improved survival rates for extremely preterm infants are a testament to modern neonatal care.
- The majority of survivors are healthy, but a significant proportion face elevated risks for various health problems.
- Adverse outcomes span nutritional, cardiovascular, respiratory, motor, cognitive, psychiatric, and functional domains.
Conclusions:
- Pediatricians play a crucial role in identifying and managing potential long-term health issues in extremely preterm survivors.
- Awareness of these outcomes is essential for facilitating a smooth transition from pediatric to adult healthcare.
- Proactive monitoring and intervention can improve the overall health and well-being of this growing population.
Abstract:
Survival rates for extremely preterm (<28 weeks' gestational age) infants have increased and are approaching 3 in 4 with the advent of modern perinatal and neonatal intensive care. In contrast with some children with chronic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, most survivors of extreme prematurity have no ongoing health issues. However, as a group, they do have higher rates of adverse health outcomes, and more of them will present to pediatricians over time and, ultimately, to adult physicians as they grow older. Pediatricians can aid the transition to adult health care by being aware of the nutritional, cardiovascular, respiratory, motor, cognitive, psychiatric, and functional outcomes into adulthood of survivors of extreme prematurity.
