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Outcome of very-low-birthweight babies from Wolverhampton
Insights
Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants born in Wolverhampton faced high mortality rates. Among survivors, nearly half experienced developmental handicaps or poor school performance by school age.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Infants weighing less than 1501 g (very low birth weight) face significant health challenges.
- Previous studies highlight the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes for this vulnerable population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term outcome and developmental status of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.
- To compare the neurodevelopmental outcomes of VLBW survivors with their normal-birthweight siblings.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 159 VLBW infants born in Wolverhampton between 1975-1979 was studied.
- Follow-up assessments were conducted on 67 survivors between 3-7 years of age.
- A control group of 38 normal-birthweight siblings was included for comparison.
Main Results:
- Infant mortality was high, with 57% of VLBW infants dying.
- Of the survivors, 15% had minor handicaps and 6% had major/moderate handicaps.
- At school age, 49% of VLBW survivors had handicaps or poor school performance, compared to 13% of controls.
Conclusions:
- VLBW infants have a significantly increased risk of mortality and long-term neurodevelopmental deficits.
- Early identification and intervention are crucial for improving outcomes in VLBW survivors.
- Sibling comparisons underscore the profound impact of VLBW on child development.
Abstract:
The outcome of the 159 babies weighing less than 1501 g who were born between 1975 and 1979 to women living in Wolverhampton was studied. 67 of the 68 survivors were assessed between the ages of 3 and 7 years and compared with a control group of 38 normal-birthweight siblings. Of those weighing less than 1501 g 91 (57%) died in infancy, 10 (6%) survived with major or moderate handicap, 15 (9%) had minor handicap, 42 (26%) were normal at follow-up, and 1 was untraced. 49% of the 51 school-age survivors were handicapped or were performing poorly at school, compared with 13% of 31 controls.
