Abstract
Previous evaluation of 35 SGA and AGA very low birth weight infants (VLBW) of similar birth weight (BW) showed differences in developmental quotient but none in neurologic outcome at one year of age (Ped. Res. 20:165A, 1985). To determine the effect of gestational age (GA) on the outcome of the VLBW infant, 20 SGA infants were compared to 20 AGA infants matched for GA, year of birth, race, gender and socio-economic status. Anomalies and intrauterine infections were excluded. SGA infants had a mean GA of 30.8 wks and a mean BW of 1006g. AGA infants had a mean GA of 30.6 wks and a mean BW of 1294g. All infants were evaluated at term, at 20 and 40 wks corrected for prematurity. Results showed that at birth the SGA infants were lighter, shorter with smaller head circumference (p<.005). In the nursery the SGA infants required respiratory assistance for longer periods (p<.005) and remained in the hospital longer (p<.001). More SGA infants were classified as neurologically suspect and abnormal at 20 wks. (p<.01) and at 40 wks. (p<.005). The Gesell developmental quotient was lower in the SGA infants reaching significance at 40 wks (p<.001). At one year of age 30% of the SGA and 5% of the AGA demonstrated neuromotor handicaps (p<.05). In conclusion, comparing the neurodevelopraental outcome of the VLBW infants by similar GA rather than by BW demonstrated the increased risk of intrauterine growth retardation for the immature brain.
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Pena, I., Teberg, A. & Finello, K. EFFECT OF INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RETARDATION ON PREMATURE INFANTS OF SIMILAR GESTATIONAL AGE. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 183 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00103
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00103