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A follow-up study of infants < or = 2000 g birthweight treated in central Queensland
1Mater Misericordiae Hospital Rockhamptor, Australia.
Insights
This study assessed long-term health outcomes for infants weighing 2000g or less. A significant portion of survivors experienced disabilities, highlighting the need for ongoing neonatal intensive care research.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Infants born with very low birthweight (VLBW), defined as <= 2000g, require specialized neonatal intensive care.
- Long-term morbidity in VLBW survivors is a critical concern for assessing healthcare quality and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and severity of disabilities in survivors of infants weighing <= 2000g treated in Rockhampton intensive care nurseries.
- To compare these outcomes with similar birthweight cohorts in Australian tertiary centers.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of records for infants <= 2000g treated between 1979-1989.
- Follow-up contact and clinical assessment of surviving infants to determine disability status (mild, moderate, severe).
Main Results:
- Of 482 infants treated, 393 survived. Follow-up was achieved for 74.8% (288/385) of survivors.
- 36 infants (12.5% of contacted survivors) had significant disabilities: 24 mild, 5 moderate, 7 severe.
- Severe disability rate was 16% in infants <= 1000g.
Conclusions:
- The study established a disability incidence of 12.5% in contacted VLBW survivors.
- Outcomes were comparable to some Australian tertiary centers during the study period.
- Acknowledged limitations include incomplete follow-up and anticipated improvements in care since the study timeframe.
Objective:
This follow-up study was undertaken in an effort to ascertain the morbidity in the survivors of infants < or = 2000 g birthweight cared for in the two Rockhampton intensive care nurseries.
Methodology:
The records of all infants < or = 2000 g delivered in or transferred to Rockhampton during the 11 year period 1979 through 1989 inclusive were extracted. Efforts were made to contact and examine all of these children. Those found to be disabled were assessed as being mildly, moderately or severely affected.
Results:
Of the 482 infants of birthweight < or = 2000 g treated in the period under review, 393 survived to be discharged from hospital. Eight were known to have died subsequently. Of the remaining 385 children, 288 (74.8%) were able to be contacted and their health status determined. A total of 36 infants were found to have significant disabilities. Twenty-four were mildly affected, five moderately and seven severely affected. Severe disability in infants of < or = 1000 g was 16% (3/19).
Conclusions:
The incidence of disability was established in 74.8% of the surviving population. It was not dissimilar to the incidence of disability in similar birthweight groups in some Australian tertiary centres for the years under study. It is emphasized that the follow-up was incomplete and recognized that the survival rates and incidence of disability in survivors has improved in tertiary centres since the time frame of this study.