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Early development of infants 1000 g or less at birth
Insights
Neonatal survival rates for very low birth weight infants (501-750g) were 42%, and 61% for those weighing 751-1000g. Overall, 45% of infants died, 11% had significant handicaps, and 44% developed normally.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants face significant survival and neurodevelopmental challenges.
- Understanding long-term outcomes is crucial for improving neonatal care and parental counseling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the survival rates and neurodevelopmental outcomes of VLBW infants.
- To identify factors influencing handicap incidence in this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 107 VLBW infants over a 4-year period.
- Follow-up assessments at corrected ages of 1 and 2 years.
- Categorization of outcomes into survival, significant functional handicaps, and normal development.
Main Results:
- Neonatal survival rates were 42% for infants 501-750g and 61% for infants 751-1000g.
- Of 107 infants, 45% died, 11% had significant functional handicaps, and 44% developed normally.
- No significant differences in handicap incidence were found based on birth status, sex, or gestational age.
Conclusions:
- VLBW infants have substantial mortality and morbidity risks.
- A significant proportion of survivors experience functional handicaps, necessitating ongoing support.
- Current management strategies do not appear to differentially impact handicap rates across various subgroups.
Abstract:
In a 4-year period the neonatal survival rate for 26 infants weighing 501-750 g was 42% and for 81 infants weighing 751-1000 g it was 61%. All 59 surviving infants have been assessed at follow-up; 39 were at least 2 years old (corrected for prematurity) and data from the remaining 20 were derived from assessment at 1 year corrected age. Five children had cerebral palsy, 4 had multiple handicaps, 4 each had a sensory handicap, 2 had developmental delay, and 1 had a dilated right ventricle without clinical hydrocephalus. Twelve of the 16 children with defined handicaps were considered to have significant functional handicaps. Therefore, of the 107 infants in this series, 48 (45%) died, 12 (11%) survived with significant functional handicaps, and 47 (44%) were considered to be developing within the normal range. No significant differences in the incidence of handicap were observed between inborn and outborn children, boys or girls, those who were small or appropriate for gestation, those who weighed less than or equal to 750 g or greater than 750 g at birth, and those who required or did not require prolonged oxygen or ventilation.