AIM: We present a longitudinal study on the neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants with extremely low birth weight <1000 g (ELBW) to answer the question at which age a developmental prognosis can be given. METHODS: A group of 129 ELBW, median birth weight: 794 g (SD 123 g), gestational age: 27.0 weeks (SD 2.0 weeks), born between 1993 and 1998, were followed up to the age between 6 and 10 years (mean 8.5 years [SD 1.7 years]) and evaluated by neurodevelopmental and psychometric tests. The status of children without cerebral palsy was ranked into categories of major, minor and no developmental impairments. RESULTS: At the time of the last follow-up examination 17% of the children showed a major impairment including 9% cerebral palsy, 42% a minor impairment and 41% were normally developed. The longitudinal analysis of cases without cerebral palsy reveals that an assessment 'at term' can only give the correct developmental prognosis in 49% of the cases. At the corrected age of 12 months the prognosis is correct in 59% of the cases, whereas at the corrected age of 3 years 70% proves to be right. Diagnosis of cerebral palsy could be confirmed at the corrected age of 2 years with sufficient reliability. CONCLUSION: The neurodevelopmental evaluation of former preterm infants with a birth weight <1000 g demands a follow-up period of at least 6 years in order to make reliable statements. We are doubtful that follow-up testing completed prior to this age can yield reliable results.
AIM: We present a longitudinal study on the neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants with extremely low birth weight <1000 g (ELBW) to answer the question at which age a developmental prognosis can be given. METHODS: A group of 129 ELBW, median birth weight: 794 g (SD 123 g), gestational age: 27.0 weeks (SD 2.0 weeks), born between 1993 and 1998, were followed up to the age between 6 and 10 years (mean 8.5 years [SD 1.7 years]) and evaluated by neurodevelopmental and psychometric tests. The status of children without cerebral palsy was ranked into categories of major, minor and no developmental impairments. RESULTS: At the time of the last follow-up examination 17% of the children showed a major impairment including 9% cerebral palsy, 42% a minor impairment and 41% were normally developed. The longitudinal analysis of cases without cerebral palsy reveals that an assessment 'at term' can only give the correct developmental prognosis in 49% of the cases. At the corrected age of 12 months the prognosis is correct in 59% of the cases, whereas at the corrected age of 3 years 70% proves to be right. Diagnosis of cerebral palsy could be confirmed at the corrected age of 2 years with sufficient reliability. CONCLUSION: The neurodevelopmental evaluation of former preterm infants with a birth weight <1000 g demands a follow-up period of at least 6 years in order to make reliable statements. We are doubtful that follow-up testing completed prior to this age can yield reliable results.
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Authors: Julia Lubsen; Betty Vohr; Eliza Myers; Michelle Hampson; Cheryl Lacadie; Karen C Schneider; Karol H Katz; R Todd Constable; Laura R Ment Journal: Semin Perinatol Date: 2011-02 Impact factor: 3.300
Authors: Matthias W Wagner; Delvin So; Ting Guo; Lauren Erdman; Min Sheng; S Ufkes; Ruth E Grunau; Anne Synnes; Helen M Branson; Vann Chau; Manohar M Shroff; Birgit B Ertl-Wagner; Steven P Miller Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2022-07-13 Impact factor: 4.996
Authors: Tjitske Hielkema; Elisa G Hamer; Heleen A Reinders-Messelink; Carel G B Maathuis; Arend F Bos; Tineke Dirks; Lily van Doormaal; Johannes Verheijden; Carla Vlaskamp; Eline Lindeman; Mijna Hadders-Algra Journal: BMC Pediatr Date: 2010-11-02 Impact factor: 2.125