Morbidity in early adulthood among low-risk very low birth weight children in Turkey: a preliminary study
Gülay Can1, Leyla Bilgin, Burak Tatli
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine.
Insights
Children born with very low birth weight (VLBW) experience significant neurodevelopment and growth issues into adolescence. Early intervention and long-term follow-up are crucial for these individuals.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Adolescent Medicine
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Modern neonatal intensive care has evolved significantly.
- Long-term outcomes for very low birth weight (VLBW) children require ongoing assessment.
- Understanding sequelae in adolescents born before advanced neonatal care is important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term physical, neuromotor, educational, and psychosocial outcomes in adolescents born with very low birth weight (VLBW).
- To compare these outcomes with a cohort of normal birth weight adolescents.
- To assess the impact of VLBW on development prior to the widespread availability of advanced neonatal intensive care.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study design was employed.
- Forty-one VLBW adolescents were assessed and compared to 40 normal birth weight adolescents.
- Assessments included physical growth, neuromotor development, educational achievement, and psychosocial status at a mean age of 17 years.
Main Results:
- VLBW adolescents were significantly shorter than controls (p = 0.01).
- Neurological abnormalities were prevalent: 12% major (cerebral palsy) and 17% minor.
- Higher rates of visual problems (56% vs. 5%) and school failure (27%) were observed in VLBW adolescents.
- VLBW adolescents reported lower self-esteem, though quality of life and behavioral problems did not differ.
Conclusions:
- Neurodevelopmental and growth deficits are significant long-term problems for VLBW adolescents.
- These sequelae highlight the need for early intervention strategies.
- Long-term follow-up is essential to manage and potentially ameliorate these developmental challenges.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to assess low-risk very low birth weight (VLBW) children, before the era of modern neonatal intensive care in Turkey, during adolescence. Forty-one VLBW adolescents were compared with 40 adolescents who had normal birth weight. The physical and neuromotor development, educational achievement and psychosocial status were assessed at a mean age of 17 +/- 1.6 years. VLBW adolescents were shorter than normal birth weight adolescents (p = 0.01). A major neurological abnormality (cerebral palsy) was seen in 12% and a minor neurological abnormality (tremor, coordination, behavioral and speech disorders) in 17%. VLBW adolescents had higher rates of visual problems (56% vs. 5%). School failure was present in 27%. There were no differences in behavioral problems or quality of life between the two groups, but VLBW adolescents did have a lower self-esteem score. Neurodevelopment and growth sequelae were a significant problem in VLBW adolescents. As early intervention might help to prevent or ameliorate potential problems, long-term follow-up is essential.
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