Survival and disability at 7-8 years of age in New Zealand infants less than 28 weeks gestation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the survival and disability rates at 7-8 years in infants of less than 28 weeks gestation born in New Zealand in 1986 and admitted to a neonatal unit.


METHODS
In 1986, all infants with birthweight less than 1500 g and admitted to neonatal units were enrolled in a prospective audit of retinopathy of prematurity. Surviving infants, including the subset born at less than 28 weeks gestation, have been assessed at a home visit. Parents completed a comprehensive questionnaire and children underwent a visual assessment and were tested on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children.


RESULTS
Of 126 liveborn infants less than 28 weeks gestation, 80 (64%) survived to 7-8 years. Sixty eight children (97% survivors resident in New Zealand) were assessed: 72% had no, and 86% no or only mild disability, 77% had some visual problem, with close to one-third having myopia, strabismus or requiring spectacles and 32% received Ministry of Education funded special needs assistance.


CONCLUSIONS
There have been few long-term follow-up studies of infants of less than 28 weeks gestation born in a defined geographical area. The outcome for New Zealand infants is comparable with that in other published data.
Darlow
B A
BA
Department of Paediatrics, Christchurch School of Medicine.
Horwood
L J
LJ
Mogridge
N
N
Clemett
R S
RS
D001724:Birth Weight; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000401:mortality*; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000401:mortality; D016019:Survival Analysis