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Profiling the preterm or VLBW born adolescent; implications of the Dutch POPS cohort follow-up studies

K M van der Pal-de Bruin1, S M van der Pal1, S P Verloove-Vanhorick2

  • 1TNO Child Health, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Early Human Development
|January 16, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Children born very preterm or with very low birth weight often face long-term challenges into adulthood. This study highlights the increased risk of disabilities and the need for ongoing support for these vulnerable populations.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Longitudinal Cohort Studies
  • Adolescent Health

Background:

  • A unique nationwide cohort of 1338 very preterm (<32 weeks gestation) or very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500g) infants born in the Netherlands in 1983 was established.
  • The cohort was followed prospectively through childhood and adolescence, with an extensive follow-up study at 19 years of age.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term outcomes and developmental trajectories of individuals born very preterm or with VLBW into early adulthood.
  • To assess physical, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes, quality of life, and the impact of handicaps at age 19.
  • To identify factors influencing successful transition to adulthood for this population.

Main Methods:

  • Data collection included questionnaires, computer-based tests, and physical examinations at multiple time points.
  • A comprehensive assessment of physical health, cognition, behavior, quality of life, and disabilities was conducted at age 19.
  • Comparison of outcomes with normative data to evaluate the extent of impairments.

Main Results:

  • Participants born very preterm or with VLBW demonstrated more impairments across various outcome measures compared to norm data.
  • Major handicaps remained relatively stable, while minor handicaps and disabilities increased with age.
  • At 19 years, only 47.1% of survivors were free from disabilities and handicaps; those born small for gestational age (SGA) were particularly vulnerable.

Conclusions:

  • Individuals born very preterm or with VLBW face significant long-term challenges, with a substantial proportion experiencing disabilities in early adulthood.
  • The findings underscore the critical need for long-term follow-up care and targeted interventions to support the transition to independent adulthood.
  • Prevention of preterm birth and SGA births is crucial to mitigate long-term adverse outcomes.

Keywords:
Long-term outcomesPreterm birth

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