BACKGROUND: Outcome studies on the effects of prematurity are increasingly restricted to extremely immature infants with birth weight below 1000 g or gestational age below 26 weeks. In contrast, studies comprising low-risk preterm infants are rare. AIM: To examine growth and neurodevelopmental outcome, 70 low-risk low birth weight (LBW) children without neurological impairment were followed from birth to 7 years of age. At 7 years of age, LBW children were compared to a matched control group born at term. METHODS: Postnatal growth was measured at 20 months in the LBW group and at 7 years in LBW and control children. At 20 months, the LBW group was assessed with the Griffiths Scales. At 7 years, LBW and control children were assessed with a neuropsychological test battery comprising tests for language, visual-perceptual, visual-motor, fine and gross motor abilities. RESULTS: At 7 years of age, the frequency of children with low (3rd-9th percentile) or subnormal (<3rd percentile) growth parameters was increased in the LBW group. The Mean Griffiths Developmental Quotient (DQ) of the preterm group was normal (102.3+/-8.4), and there were only two results below DQ 85. There was no difference between 49 children appropriate for gestational age and 21 small for gestational age (SGA) children. At 7 years of age, reduced mean test results in the range of -0.5 SDS were observed for language and visual-motor abilities in the preterm group. This was due to an increased frequency of LBW children with moderately (SDS -1.0 to -2.0 SDS) subnormal test results. Even for the slightly LBW group (2000 to 2499 g), poorer language abilities were confirmed. CONCLUSION: All LBW infants, including low-risk populations, should be included in a follow-up program in order to detect deficits early in life and begin treatment before school entry.
BACKGROUND: Outcome studies on the effects of prematurity are increasingly restricted to extremely immature infants with birth weight below 1000 g or gestational age below 26 weeks. In contrast, studies comprising low-risk preterm infants are rare. AIM: To examine growth and neurodevelopmental outcome, 70 low-risk low birth weight (LBW) children without neurological impairment were followed from birth to 7 years of age. At 7 years of age, LBW children were compared to a matched control group born at term. METHODS: Postnatal growth was measured at 20 months in the LBW group and at 7 years in LBW and control children. At 20 months, the LBW group was assessed with the Griffiths Scales. At 7 years, LBW and control children were assessed with a neuropsychological test battery comprising tests for language, visual-perceptual, visual-motor, fine and gross motor abilities. RESULTS: At 7 years of age, the frequency of children with low (3rd-9th percentile) or subnormal (<3rd percentile) growth parameters was increased in the LBW group. The Mean Griffiths Developmental Quotient (DQ) of the preterm group was normal (102.3+/-8.4), and there were only two results below DQ 85. There was no difference between 49 children appropriate for gestational age and 21 small for gestational age (SGA) children. At 7 years of age, reduced mean test results in the range of -0.5 SDS were observed for language and visual-motor abilities in the preterm group. This was due to an increased frequency of LBW children with moderately (SDS -1.0 to -2.0 SDS) subnormal test results. Even for the slightly LBW group (2000 to 2499 g), poorer language abilities were confirmed. CONCLUSION: All LBW infants, including low-risk populations, should be included in a follow-up program in order to detect deficits early in life and begin treatment before school entry.
Authors: Julia B Pitcher; Luke A Schneider; Nicholas R Burns; John L Drysdale; Ryan D Higgins; Michael C Ridding; Theodore J Nettelbeck; Ross R Haslam; Jeffrey S Robinson Journal: J Physiol Date: 2012-09-10 Impact factor: 5.182
Authors: John P Newnham; Jan E Dickinson; Roger J Hart; Craig E Pennell; Catherine A Arrese; Jeffrey A Keelan Journal: Front Immunol Date: 2014-11-19 Impact factor: 7.561
Authors: Caroline Trumpff; Johan Vanderfaeillie; Nathalie Vercruysse; Jean De Schepper; Jean Tafforeau; Herman Van Oyen; Stefanie Vandevijvere Journal: Arch Public Health Date: 2014-08-18