Neurodevelopmental outcome in very low birth weight infants at 24 months and 5 to 7 years of age: Changing diagnosis

• Published in: Pediatric neurology Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 240 - 248
• Main Authors: Fazzi, Elisa, Orcesi, Simona, Telesca, Claudia, Ometto, Alessandra, Rondini, Giorgio, Lanzi, Giovanni
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-10-1997; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Brain - growth & development; Brain Damage, Chronic - complications; Brain Damage, Chronic - diagnostic imaging; Cerebral Hemorrhage - complications; Cerebral Hemorrhage - diagnostic imaging; Child; Child, Preschool; Diseases of mother, fetus and pregnancy; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Infant; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight - growth & development; Male; Medical sciences; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta; Ultrasonography; Human; Very low birthweight; Premature; Psychomotor development; Newborn diseases; Pregnancy disorders; Evolution; Child; Long term
• ISSN: 0887-8994; 1873-5150
• DOI: 10.1016/S0887-8994(97)00100-8

We describe the long-term development of 53 very low birth weight premature infants. The children were divided into 2 groups on the basis of ultrasound scan, and classified as: group 1, patients with normal ultrasound scan or with uncomplicated hemorrhage; and group II patients with complicated hemorrhage or only parenchymal lesions. Minor and major sequelae detected at 2 years of age were compared with those observed at 5 to 7 years. Our study confirms that most severely handicapped children are identified by age 2 years. Minor sequelae are more evident at 5 to 7 years and subjects with good outcome, as expressed by a McCarthy General Cognitive Index score > 80, present a discordant cognitive profile with verbal scores higher than performance scores. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of follow-up of very low birth weight premature infants until school age and stress that neonatal ultrasound scan diagnosis of parenchymal damage represents an important diagnostic tool in terms of both short- and long-term neurodevelopmental outcome.