Neurodevelopmental outcome in very low birth weight infants at 24 months and 5 to 7 years of age: changing diagnosis.
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 I, 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.
Fazzi
E
E
Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, IRCCS C. Mondino Foundation, University of Pavia, Italy.
Orcesi
S
S
Telesca
C
C
Ometto
A
A
Rondini
G
G
Lanzi
G
G
D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development*; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D014463:Ultrasonography