Six year neurodevelopmental follow-up of very low birthweight children.

Twenty-four children born preterm with very low birthweight (VLBW) in 1985 at Bikur Holim Hospital were followed until age 6 years. Their neurological status and developmental and cognitive abilities were examined at 1, 2 and 6 years of age respectively and were compared with a control group at age 6 years. Of the 24 VLBW children, 4 had major disabilities. Of those without major disabilities, mean total IQ (WPPSI) at six years was 101.5 +/- 11.3, not significantly different from their mean Mental Development Index (Bayley) at age 2 years which was 96.1 +/- 19.6, or from the mean total IQ of a control group of 6-year-old children which was 109.8 +/- 14.7. However, the mean verbal IQ of the VLBW children (95.3 +/- 11.7) was significantly lower than that of the control group (106.2 +/- 14.3) (P = 0.02). Minor neurological deficit was found in seven of the VLBW children and in only one of the controls (P = 0.05). These findings point to possible future learning difficulties and should alert both pediatricians and educationalists to the importance of long-term follow-up of VLBW children in order to identify and address their specific educational needs.