Outcome of very-low-birthweight babies from Wolverhampton.

The outcome of the 159 babies weighing less than 1501 g who were born between 1975 and 1979 to women living in Wolverhampton was studied. 67 of the 68 survivors were assessed between the ages of 3 and 7 years and compared with a control group of 38 normal-birthweight siblings. Of those weighing less than 1501 g 91 (57%) died in infancy, 10 (6%) survived with major or moderate handicap, 15 (9%) had minor handicap, 42 (26%) were normal at follow-up, and 1 was untraced. 49% of the 51 school-age survivors were handicapped or were performing poorly at school, compared with 13% of 31 controls.