Extremely low birth weight and control infants at 2 years corrected age: a comparison of intellectual abilities, motor performance, growth and health
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M J O'Callaghan1, Y Burns, P Gray
1Mater Misericordiae Public Hospitals, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Insights
Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants showed developmental differences compared to normal birth weight controls. While some ELBW infants had typical intellectual abilities, motor skills and growth were impacted, with higher illness rates observed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants face significant developmental challenges.
- Long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes and health status require continued investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess intellectual abilities, motor skills, growth, and health at 2 years in ELBW survivors.
- To compare ELBW infants with normal birth weight controls.
- To evaluate outcomes in a low-risk subset of ELBW infants.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 63 surviving ELBW infants followed to 2 years.
- Assessment included intellectual abilities (Griffiths developmental quotient), motor skills, growth, and health status.
- Comparison group comprised 44 normal birth weight control infants.
Main Results:
- The total ELBW group had significantly lower overall developmental quotients and personal/social scores than controls.
- Both total ELBW and a low-risk ELBW subset showed deficits in fine and gross motor skills compared to controls.
- ELBW infants experienced more frequent ill health and hospital readmissions.
Conclusions:
- ELBW survivors, even those identified as low risk, exhibit motor skill deficits at 2 years.
- While intellectual abilities may normalize in some low-risk ELBW infants, overall developmental and health outcomes warrant attention.
- Early identification and intervention strategies are crucial for improving long-term outcomes in ELBW infants.
Abstract:
A 2-year cohort of 63 surviving extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants was prospectively studied and 60 of these infants, together with 44 normal birth weight control infants, were assessed at 2 years of age for intellectual abilities, motor skills, growth and health. The total ELBW group differed significantly from controls on overall Griffiths developmental quotient (99.3 vs. 103.8 P = 0.02) and in the personal/social subscale (100.7 vs. 106.7 P = 0.01). A subset of 43 of the ELBW infants was identified as low risk at discharge. No statistically significant differences were present between the low risk ELBW subset and controls in intellectual abilities though both the total ELBW group and the low risk ELBW subset differed from controls in fine and gross motor abilities, and in weight at 2 years. The total ELBW group also experienced more frequent ill health and hospital readmission.