Outcomes of Very Low Birth Weight Infants until 2 Years of Age in Taiwan

Abstract

In this study we demonstrate the outcomes of surviving very low birth weight (VLBW, birth body weight≦1500g) infants born between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2000 in Taiwan. Totally, 2671 babies were included. Data were retrospectively collected by follow-up teams of the Premature Baby Foundation of Taiwan. Babies were divided into 3 groups: group Ⅰ with birth body weights (BBWs) of 1000 g, group Ⅱ with BBWs of 1001 to 1250 g, group Ⅲ with BBWs of 1251 to 1500 g. Assessments included growth status, neuromotor, psychochomotor and mental developments, and visual and auditory functions. Growth was evaluated by a growth chart, vision by an opthalmologist, and hearing by the auditory brainstem evoked potential. Baley Scales of Infant Development (second edition) (BSIDⅡ), infant gross motor screening (GMS) test, and the Infant International Battery (INFANIB) were assessed by trained psychologists cit the corrected ages (CAs) of 6, 12, 18, ad 24 months. Results showed that growth delay and developmental disability decresed with increased BBW. Growth delay was obvious from a CA of 6 to 12 months. From a CA of 12 to 24 months, catch-up growth of body length (BL) was obvious; however, growth delays of head circumference (HC) and body weight (BW) were persistent. Mental developmental delay (MDI＜70) was more likely to be detected after a CA of 12 months, while psychomotor developmental delay (PDI＜70) was obvious during a CA of 6 to 12 months and was stable thereafter. The most-common visual problem was myopia. The incidences of severe disability at a CA of 24 months in groupsⅠ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ was 11%, 8%, and 5%, respectively. The detection rate of severe disability was higher after a CA of 12 months, coincident with the increase in the number of infants with MDI values ＜70 after this age.