Abstract
Objective
To determine the neurodevelopmental outcomes, functional limitations and medical
conditions associated with very low birth weight and extremely low birth weight infants.
Subjects and Methods
The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and outpatient clinic follow up
records of all newborns, treated at Shifa International Hospital from January 1, 2000 to
December 31, 2004 were analyzed. Infants weighing less than 1500 grams were included
in the study. Neonates with weight <1.5 Kg were termed as very low birth weight
(VLBW) and those with weight <1000 gm were termed as extremely low birth weight
(ELBW) infants. Their follow up was at 3, 6, 9, 13 and 36 months.
Results
Out of 163 neonates, 76 (46.6%) expired while 87 (53.4%) survived. Out of these 87
surviving neonates, 21 (24%) were lost to follow up. Out of the 66, 7 (10.6%) were
ELBW and 59 (89.4%) VLBW babies. The most commonly encountered
neurodevelopmental sequalae were developmental motor delay 22 (33%), cerebral palsy
or spastic diplegia 11 (16.6%), recurrent acute respiratory infections (ARI)/asthma 16
(24.2%), speech defects 6 (9%), hearing defects 3 (4.5%) and seizures 4 (6%).
2
Conclusion
Despite the marked improvement in survival rates in recent years for very preterm or tiny
infants, neurodevelopmental morbidity remains high and has not kept pace with
improvements in survival. In general, morbidity follows a gestational age gradient that is
inversely related to the degree of prematurity. (Rawal Med J 2009,34: ).
Key words: Extremely low birthweight, neurodevelopment outcome, cerebral palsy
