(Pediatrics in Review. 1997;18:99-100.)
© 1997 American Academy of Pediatrics
Prognosis of Very Low-birthweight Babies
Deborah Campbell, MD
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Montefiore Medical Center
Bronx, NY
Although advances in perinatal care during the past 2 decades
have led to dramatic increases in survival among extremely small and
immature infants, low birthweight remains a major contributor to infant
mortality and childhood handicap. Very low-birthweight (VLBW) children
(<1,500 g or 3 lb 5 oz) are at risk for impaired health, developmental delay,
neurosensory deficits, and cognitive delays, as well as school and
behavioral difficulties. In contrast to the enhanced survival among VLBW
children, rates of cerebral palsy and neurodevelopmental handicap in early
childhood essentially are unchanged. Furthermore, approximately one third of
VLBW children demonstrate residual neurodevelopmental and neurosensory
deficits that impede age-expected function. Health problems persist for
these children as well, with poorer health outcomes both during the first 2
years of life and when assessed at 8 to 10 years.
Developmental and Neurosensory Outcomes
Although the majority of VLBW children are normal
neurologically, the spectrum of neurologic conditions affecting them ranges
from cerebral palsy (CP) to milder, more subtle degrees of neuromotor
. . . [Full Text of this Article]
RJ H
Copyright © 1997 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
