W. H. Kitchen

A Longitudinal Study of Very Low-birthweight Infants. IV: An Overview of Performance at Eight Years of Age

A cohort of 169 very low‐birth weight infants (800 to 1500g) was followed prospectively to the age of eight years. Information on 159 of the children was available at that age, and for a further five to the age of six years. A comparison group of 67 normal‐birthweight children was also followed, but only 43 of these children were seen at the age of eight years.

Correction of developmental and intelligence test scores for premature birth

Abstract When using tests of infant development and intelligence in children born prematurely, the subjects age is commonly corrected for the degree of prematurity. However, there is disagreement: first, on whether this correction should ever be applied, and second, at what age to discontinue the adjustment.

Growth and very low birth weight.

Information on the likelihood of catch up growth in poorly grown very low birthweight children is sparse. The centiles for weight, height, and head circumference were recorded at both 2 and 5 years of age for 135 very low birthweight children and 42 normal birthweight children. At both ages significantly more children of very low birth weight were under the 10th centile for weight and height. Children of birth weight under 1000 g were more often under the 10th centile for weight at 5 years compared with those of birth weight 1000-1500 g. Mean incremental weight gain between 2 and 5 years was significantly less for very low birthweight children. Mean increment in weight from 2 to 5 years was less for very low birthweight children who had been under the 10th centile for weight at 2 years; children who had been under the 10th centile for height also had lower mean height increments. The growth centiles achieved by 2 years of age were useful predictors of poor growth at 5 years, with perinatal data of marginal importance. Only six of 43 (14%) children with a weight at 5 years of age under the 10th centile were small for gestational age at birth. Very low birthweight children who had a weight or height under the 10th centile at 2 years of age usually remained in this category at 5 years with no evidence of catch up growth.

A longitudinal study of very low-birthweight infants. II: Results of controlled trial of intensive care and incidence of handicaps.

Between 1966 and 1970, infants with birthweights between 1000 and 1500g entered a randomized controlled trial to determine the short‐term and long‐term results of neonatal intensive care. Of 158 long‐term survivors, five were lost to follow‐up, but the multidisciplinary research team prospectively followed 143 children up to the age of eight years. Useful data were available for the other 10 children. Of the long‐term survivors 74 had received routine, and 84 had received intensive nursery care.

A Longitudinal Study of Very Low‐birthweight Infants. Ill: Distance Growth at Eight Years of Age

Data on growth patterns for a consecutive series of very low‐birthweight infants followed to the age of eight years are presented. Of 158 long‐term survivors who weighed between 1000 and 1500g at birth, reliable information on physical growth is available for 145 children. At birth 19‐6 per cent of the sample were small for gestational age, but by eight years only 7‐6 per cent remained below the 10th percentile for weight. Similar patterns were noted for length and for head circumference.

The cost of improving the outcome for infants of birthweight 500-999 g in Victoria: THE VICTORIAN INFANT COLLABORATIVE STUDY GROUP

The aim of this study was to conduct an economic evaluation of neonatal intensive care for extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants born in the state of Victoria. Two distinct eras (1979–80 and 1985–87) were compared. Follow‐up data at 2 years of age were available for all 89 survivors from the 351 live births in 1979–80, and for 211 of 212 survivors from the 560 live births in 1985–87. The overall cost‐effectiveness for ELBW infants during 1985–87 compared with 1979–80 was

A longitudinal study of very low-birthweight infants. I. Study design and mortality rates.

104 990 (

IMPROVED OUTCOME TO TWO YEARS OF VERY LOW-BIRTHWEIGHT INFANTS: FACT OR ARTIFACT?

A 1987) per additional survivor, or

Perinatal factors affecting survival of very low birthweight infants — a study from two hospitals

5390 (

Selective improvement in cognitive test scores of extremely low birthweight infants aged between 2 and 5 years

A 1987) per additional life year gained. Cost‐effectiveness improved with increasing birthweight. If the quality of life of the survivors was considered, the economic outlook was more favourable. The cost per quality‐adjusted life year gained was