[Three year outcome for infants of birth weight less than 1800 g].
The effectiveness of modern methods of care for very low birthweight infants has been questioned from the standpoint of the possibility that the application of these methods may result in an increase in handicapped children. During 1985, 435 infants of birth weight less than 1800 g were born in Osaka prefecture and 359 of these infants were followed for 3 years to analyze outcome. Proportion of children without handicap, with handicap, and children who died were determined. These results were compared with another study which showed outcome for infants born in 1980 in Osaka. 1. Of the 359 children, 66.9% were alive without handicap, and 14.2% with handicap, and 68 (18.9%) children died, 10 of whom died from congenital disorder. 2. There were significant differences in the proportion of children without handicap in the BW range 1000 g-1500 g between infants cared at children's hospitals which have NICU. and other hospitals. (75% vs 54% P < 0.05) 3. While the proportion of children with handicap was greater for all BW ranges in infants care at children's hospitals which have NICU. than other hospitals, the difference was not significant. 4. There were significant differences in the proportion of children who died in the BW range 1000 g-1500 g between infants cared at children's hospitals which have NICU. and other hospitals. (10% vs 26% P < 0.05) 5. There was an increase in the proportion of children without handicap (67% vs 61%), and with handicap (14% vs 11%), but a decrease in children who died (19% vs 28%) between low birthweight infants born in 1985 and in 1980.
Sasai
Y
Y
Shijonawate Public Health Center, Osaka Prefectural Government.
Kobayashi
M
M
Etou
R
R
Hayashi
Y
Y
D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007564:Japan; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000592:standards; D011379:Prognosis