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Neurodevelopmental outcome and school performance of very-low-birth-weight infants at 8 years of age

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Abstract

The neurodevelopmental outcome and school performance of 50 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and 33 small for gestational age (SGA) very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants, compared to a control group (41 Term infants) were assessed at 8 years of age. The incidence of major handicaps among AGA and SGA/VLBW infants respectively, was 16% and 6%. No major handicap was found in the control group. The incidence of neurodevelopmental abnormalities (NDA) among AGA's (40%) and SGA's (57.6%) compared with the control group (31.7%) was found to be significantly higher. School failure occurred more frequently among VLBW infants (22.9%) and was related in children with NDA — and more particularly among AGA's — to the presence of language disorders of associated NDA. Evaluation of the consequences of NDA and school problems for later academic and professional achievement now requires further follow-up studies.

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Abbreviations

AGA:

appropriate for gestationl age

SGA:

small for gestational age

VLBW:

very low birth weight

NDA:

neurodevelopmental abnormalities

GA:

gestational age

CP:

cerebral palsy

RLF:

retrolental fibroplasia

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neonatal and Developmental Unit, Paediatrics Department (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland

    A. Calame, C. L. Fawer, V. Claeys, L. Arrazola, S. Durcet & L. Jaunin

Authors
  1. A. Calame
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  2. C. L. Fawer
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  3. V. Claeys
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  4. L. Arrazola
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  5. S. Durcet
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  6. L. Jaunin
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Calame, A., Fawer, C.L., Claeys, V. et al. Neurodevelopmental outcome and school performance of very-low-birth-weight infants at 8 years of age. Eur J Pediatr 145, 461–466 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02429043

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02429043

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