Neurological development up to the age of four years of extremely low birthweight infants born in Southern Finland in 1991-94.
A total of 142 infants with birthweights of less than 1000 g were examined at the age of 4 y by a child neurologist, by a neuropsychologist and by an occupational therapist in order to establish the rate of neurological disorders. A total of 57 (40%) of the children had normal neurological development, 52 (37%) had minor neurological disorders, 27 (19%) were diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and 6 (4%) were mentally retarded (IQ <71) with no motor disability. The rate of cerebral palsy was identical with the figure at age 2 y, but the rate of minor neurological disorders increased from 25% to 37%. Compared with international rates, we found a higher rate of cerebral palsy, but the incidence of minor neurological disorders corresponded with figures published previously.
Pediatric Neurology, The Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland. teija.salokorpi@cch.fimnet.fi
T
T
Salokorpi
T
T
Rautio
N
N
Sajaniemi
S
S
Serenius-Sirve
H
H
Tuomi
L
L
von Wendt
D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index