Low birth weight young adults: quality of life, academic achievements and social functioning.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the quality of life (QOL), academic achievements and social functioning of 134 non-handicapped low birth weight (LBW, birth weight < 2000 g) and 135 normal birth weight (NBW, birth weight > 3000 g) young adults.


METHODS
Population-based longitudinal follow-up study.


METHODS
The Norwegian version of the originally US child health questionnaire, child form 87 (CHQ-CF87), a generic health instrument was applied to measure different physical and psychosocial concepts of QOL. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were applied to the cohort to register different aspects of social functioning and academic performance.


RESULTS
The LBW group reported well-being in the different aspects of QOL. The LBW group was socially well functioning. The college attendance was similar in the two groups, but more LBW young adults had dropped out of school or attended individually adjusted classes. Performance in mathematics for the LBW women attending academic college was lower. With this exception, the academic performance was comparable in the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Except a somewhat higher rate of school dropouts, the overall outcome of school performance, QOL and social functioning in the LBW young adults was comparable to that of the NBW control group.
Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway. morten.duus.odberg@helse-bergen.no
Morten Duus
MD
Odberg
Irene Bircow
IB
Elgen
D000293:Adolescent; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012917:Social Adjustment; D055815:Young Adult