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Psychosocial and psychomotoric development of very low birthweight infants with necrotizing enterocolitis
J Mayr1, G Fasching, M E Höllwarth
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, University of Graz, Austria.
Insights
Prematurity, not necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), likely causes long-term health and developmental issues in very low birthweight infants (VLBI). Follow-up studies showed similar outcomes in NEC survivors and a control group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious condition affecting very low birthweight infants (VLBI).
- Long-term health and psychosocial outcomes for VLBI treated for NEC require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term health problems and psychosocial development of VLBI treated for NEC.
- To compare outcomes between VLBI with NEC and a control group of VLBI without NEC.
Main Methods:
- Follow-up studies conducted 1-13 years after NEC onset in 12 surviving children.
- Control group included 6 VLBI operated on for conditions other than NEC.
- Assessment methods included detailed interviews, Denver Development Screening Test, and drawing tests.
Main Results:
- Five NEC patients experienced major persistent health issues impacting psychomotoric and psychosocial development (e.g., hearing impairment, strabismus, asthma).
- Nine of 12 NEC patients showed reduced social contact, speech problems, and minor skill deficits.
- Similar developmental issues were observed in the control group.
Conclusions:
- Impaired psychomotoric and psychosocial development in VLBI appears to be primarily linked to prematurity rather than NEC itself.
- Prematurity is a significant factor influencing long-term outcomes in very low birthweight infants.
Unlabelled:
Twenty-six very low birthweight infants (VLBI) were treated for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We investigated their consecutive health problems and psychosocial development.
Method:
One to 13 years after onset of NEC, follow-up studies were performed in 12 of the surviving children. Identical follow-up studies were performed in 6 VLBI who had been operated on for diseases other than NEC (control group). We used a detailed interview, a Denver test and a drawing test.
Results:
Five children of the NEC group had major persistent health problems that impaired their psychomotoric and psychosocial development (including hearing impairment, concomitant strabismus, early onset bronchial asthma). Nine of 12 VLBI of the NEC group showed signs of reduced social contact, logopaedic problems and minimal partial skill reductions.
Conclusion:
We found similar results in both children who suffered from NEC and in a small control group of VLBI who had not suffered from NEC, therefore impaired psychomotoric and psychosocial development is probably due to prematurity.