Long term outcome of very low birth weight babies born at Sri Jayawardenepura General Hospital from 1990-1995

• To compare growth parameters (weight, height, occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) and body mass index (BMI) of very low birth weight (VLBW) children with that of age and sex matched children of normal birth weight.

• To compare neurological, cognitive, educational and behavioural outcome of VLBW children with "that of control group.

Design A descriptive comparative study.

Setting Sri Jayawardenepura General Hospital
(SJGH), Nugegoda.

Method VLBW babies (<1500g), born at SJGH from
1990 January to 1995 December were compared with
age and sex matched children of birthweights
>2500g. These children were 6-11 years old at time
of study (September-December 2001). Of 161
survivors, 92 were assessed. Their weights, heights,
OFC and BMI were noted. Wechsler Intelligence
Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and Draw-aman
test were used to assess cognitive functions.
Educational status was assessed using age
appropriate reading, writing, arithmetic tests and
grade 5 scholarship marks. Behavioural status was
assessed using a check list.

Results Of the VLBW children, 63 (68.5%) were
preterm babies who were small for gestational age
(SGA); 51 (55.4%) were born to mothers with
pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH); 46 (50%) had
respiratory distress; 33 (35.9%) needed mechanical
ventilation; 35 (38%) had neurological disabilities.
Growth parameters such as weight (P= 0.000), height
(P= 0.0034), OFC (P= 0.031) and BMI (P= 0.001)
were significantly lower in index group compared to
control group. Cognitive function, arithmetic abilities
and behaviour were not significantly different in the
2 groups. However, there was a statistically
significant difference in their reading and writing
abilities and scholarship marks.

Conclusions The VLBW children consisted mainlyof preterm babies who were SGA. PIH was the
leading predisposing factor. Their catch up growth
was not satisfactory and they had significant reading
and writing difficulties. 38% had disabilities on
neurological assessment.

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2003; 32: 92-5

(Key words: Long term outcome, very low birth weight babies)

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2003; 32: 92-5
(Key words: Long term outcome, very low birth weight babies)

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2003; 32: 92-5
(Key words: Long term outcome, very low birth weight babies)

doi: 10.4038/sljch.v32i4.691