Outcome at 2 years of infants less than 1000 grams: a regional study

To determine the neurodevelopmental outcome of infants with birthweight < 1000 g at 2 years.

Prospective, regional case-control cohort.

Of 141 liveborn infants with birthweight between 500-999 g born to mothers of central North Island domicile, 83 (58.9%) were alive at 2 years. Sixty nine of the survivors completed a neurodevelopmental assessment at a corrected age of 2 years along with 29 control infants. Neurological disability was present in 27.5% of survivors, and 20.7% of controls, with severe disability being more prevalent amongst survivors (10.1% vs 3.4%). The mean developmental index, expressive and receptive language scores were not significantly different between the groups.

Infants with birthweight < 1000 g are at increased risk of major neurodevelopmental disability at age 2 years compared with a control cohort.