446 High Frequency of Low Severity Disabilities in Very Premature Infants at Age Five

Abstract

Background: Children born preterm run an increased risk of problems on multiple domains. The co-existence of these problems needs more attention.

Aim: To find out how may preterm born children have disabilities in comparison with term controls.

Methods: Children (N = 127) born at < 30 weeks GA or BW < 1000 g, born in our hospital, reaching the corrected age of 5 in a 18 month period were eligible. Healthy term born children, mostly recruited via the school of each preterm child, served as controls. Motor development was assessed using the M-ABC II, neurological functioning using the Touwen neurological examination, cognitive functioning (total, verbal and performal IQ, and processing speed quotient) using the WPPSI-III-NL, and behaviour using the SDQ. (parents and teachers). Scores > -1SD below mean were defined as disability.

Results: 104 preterm born children (mean GA 28.8 weeks (SD 1.6), mean BW 1043 grams (SD 250)) and 91 term controls (mean GA 39.8 weeks (SD 1.8), mean BW 3224 (SD 528) participated. In the preterm group, 50% had one or more abnormal IQ score and 44% had minor neurological dysfunction, while 5% had CP. In the term controls this was 22%, 7% and 0% respectively. In the preterm group, 75% had ≥1 disability and 52% ≥2 disability and this was 27 resp. 10% in the term controls.

Conclusions: Of very premature children, able to undergo an age appropriate IQ test, only 25 % compared to 73% of term controls is without disability on all domains.

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