A follow-up study of infants < or = 2000 g birthweight treated in central Queensland.
J Paediatr Child Health, 33 (2):
98--101 (April 1997)Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This follow-up study was undertaken in an effort to ascertain the morbidity in the survivors of infants < or = 2000 g birthweight cared for in the two Rockhampton intensive care nurseries. METHODOLOGY: The records of all infants < or = 2000 g delivered in or transferred to Rockhampton during the 11 year period 1979 through 1989 inclusive were extracted. Efforts were made to contact and examine all of these children. Those found to be disabled were assessed as being mildly, moderately or severely affected. RESULTS: Of the 482 infants of birthweight < or = 2000 g treated in the period under review, 393 survived to be discharged from hospital. Eight were known to have died subsequently. Of the remaining 385 children, 288 (74.8\%) were able to be contacted and their health status determined. A total of 36 infants were found to have significant disabilities. Twenty-four were mildly affected, five moderately and seven severely affected. Severe disability in infants of < or = 1000 g was 16\% (3/19). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of disability was established in 74.8\% of the surviving population. It was not dissimilar to the incidence of disability in similar birthweight groups in some Australian tertiary centres for the years under study. It is emphasized that the follow-up was incomplete and recognized that the survival rates and incidence of disability in survivors has improved in tertiary centres since the time frame of this study.