Neurological development up to the age of four years of extremely low birthweight infants born in Southern Finland in 1991-94

Acta Paediatr. 2001 Feb;90(2):218-21. doi: 10.1080/080352501300049505.

Abstract

A total of 142 infants with birthweights of less than 1000 g were examined at the age of 4 y by a child neurologist, by a neuropsychologist and by an occupational therapist in order to establish the rate of neurological disorders. A total of 57 (40%) of the children had normal neurological development, 52 (37%) had minor neurological disorders, 27 (19%) were diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and 6 (4%) were mentally retarded (IQ <71) with no motor disability. The rate of cerebral palsy was identical with the figure at age 2 y, but the rate of minor neurological disorders increased from 25% to 37%. Compared with international rates, we found a higher rate of cerebral palsy, but the incidence of minor neurological disorders corresponded with figures published previously.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cerebral Palsy / diagnosis
  • Cerebral Palsy / epidemiology*
  • Developmental Disabilities / diagnosis
  • Developmental Disabilities / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Finland / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
  • Intellectual Disability / diagnosis
  • Intellectual Disability / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Motor Skills Disorders / diagnosis
  • Motor Skills Disorders / epidemiology
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index