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[Growth and development in infants with a birthweight of less than 1501 grams]
Insights
Very low birth weight children experienced more infections and hospital readmissions. Despite normal neurological development, these preterm infants showed no catch-up growth, indicating a need for further research.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric health
- Developmental pediatrics
Background:
- Premature infants born with very low birth weight (VLBW) face significant health challenges.
- Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) survivors require long-term follow-up for morbidity, growth, and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the morbidity, development, growth, and major handicaps in VLBW children.
- To compare outcomes of VLBW children with a control group of full-term infants.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 37 VLBW children (birthweight < 1501g) were studied from one to two years of age.
- Morbidity, development (Gesell scale), growth, and handicaps were registered.
- Comparison was made with a control group of term-born children from the same period.
Main Results:
- VLBW children had higher rates of lower respiratory tract infections and hospital readmissions.
- Cerebral palsy incidence was 10.8% in survivors (7.3% of live births); no major handicaps in controls.
- Neurological development was normal, but VLBW children did not exhibit catch-up growth.
Conclusions:
- VLBW infants face increased risks for respiratory infections and readmissions.
- While neurological development may appear normal, the lack of catch-up growth is a critical concern.
- Long-term monitoring and interventions are crucial for VLBW survivors to address growth deficits.
Abstract:
37 children with a birthweight below 1.501 grams were studied between the ages of one and two years. The children were all admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at the Regional Hospital in Trondheim in 1985 or 1986. Morbidity, development, growth and major handicaps in the study group were registered and compared with a control group of children born at term during the same period. The preterm children showed a significantly higher incidence of lower respiratory tract infections and hospital readmissions than did the children in the control group. The incidence of cerebral palsy in the study group was 10.8% among the survivors (7.3% among live births). None of the children in the control group had a major handicap. Neurological development as judged by the Gesell scale was normal in the study group. However, the control group reached a higher score than expected for their age. A striking finding was the lack of catch-up growth in the prematurely born children. This finding should receive further attention in future.