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Very low birthweight boys at the age of 19
Insights
Very low birth weight boys experienced long-term challenges, including impaired growth, sensory deficits, and cognitive difficulties. However, they did not show increased risks for asthma, back pain, or headaches.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Premature birth and low birth weight are significant global health concerns.
- Understanding the long-term outcomes for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) survivors is crucial for clinical practice and public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term physical and cognitive development of singleton boys born with very low birth weight (VLBW).
- To assess the risks of specific health issues in VLBW survivors up to late adolescence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized linked data from Swedish national registries for comprehensive follow-up.
- Included 260 surviving singleton boys with birth weights under 1500 grams, born between 1973-1975.
- Followed participants until 18-19 years of age.
Main Results:
- VLBW boys were significantly shorter and lighter than their normal birth weight peers.
- Increased prevalence of visual and hearing impairments was observed in the VLBW cohort.
- Higher risk of cerebral palsy and cognitive impairments, indicated by lower IQ scores and reduced schooling duration, were found.
- No increased risk for asthma, back problems, or headaches was identified.
Conclusions:
- Very low birth weight in boys is associated with persistent physical growth deficits and sensory impairments.
- Cognitive development and educational attainment are significantly impacted in survivors of extreme prematurity.
- While VLBW survivors face numerous challenges, common conditions like asthma and headaches do not appear to be elevated risks.
Abstract:
Using linked data from the Swedish Medical Birth Registry and the National Service Enrollment Register, long term follow up (to 18-19 years age) was made of 260 surviving singleton boys whose birthweight was less than 1500 g from a total of 150 229 boys born between 1973-5. These boys were shorter and lighter than boys who weighed more at birth, they had more visual and hearing impairments, were at much higher risk of cerebral palsy and other signs of mental impairment, evident as lower intelligence test scores and shorter schooling. No significant excess of asthma, back problems, or headaches were found.