Abstract
As the survival of infants born weighing < 1000 grams has become more assured, pediatricians are now faced with questions related to the quality of these infants1 lives. Our purpose is to describe a population of 34 very low birthweight infants (BW < 1000 gms) transferred to Children's Hosp. of Phila. NICU between 6/80 and 4/83. 9 of these infants weighed <750 gms at birth. 94 infants weighing 1000–1750 grams with similar neonatal conditions served as a comparison group. The survival rate of the 2 groups was 53% and 83%, respectively. The mean BW & GA of the groups was 821 ± 168 gms vs 1376 ± 218 gms and 28 ± 2 wks vs 31 ± 2 wks. Serial assessments of neurologic and intellectual development were performed using a modified Amiel-Tison & Bayley Scale Assessment or Reynell-Zinkin Scales (visually handicapped infants). Developmental status was defined as normal if scores were within 1SD, mild-mod delayed if between −1 & −2 SD and severely delayed if < −2SD. Results are based on the most recent evaluation (mean age 25 months).
Comparing <1kg to ≥1kg infants revealed a 9% vs 1% rate of visual impairment (p<05) and 6% vs 4% as having cerebral palsy (NS). The table reveals no significant differences in developmental status between groups.
Conclusions: Although there is an initially high mortality rate, those <1kg infants who do survive may experience more visual impairment due to RLF but are similar to larger BW infants in developmental and neuromuscular status in their toddler years.
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Bernbaurn, J., Hoffman-Williamson, M., Daft, A. et al. 27 INFANTS WITH BIRTHWEIGHTS LESS THAN 1000 GRAMS: THE FIRST THREE YEARS. Pediatr Res 19, 115 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00057
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00057