Outcomes at school-age of children born extremely preterm or extremely low birth weight in Victoria, Australia: protocol for the 8-9 years follow-up of the prospective, longitudinal Victorian Infant Collaborative Study (VICS) 2016-2017 cohort.

INTRODUCTION

Children born extremely preterm (EP; <28 weeks' gestation) and/or extremely low birth weight (ELBW; <1000 g) are at increased risk of difficulties across a range of neurodevelopmental domains and respiratory outcomes long term. The Victorian Infant Collaborative Study (VICS) in Australia has tracked detailed perinatal and developmental outcomes across four distinct EP/ELBW birth cohorts: 1991-1992, 1997, 2005 and 2016-2017. Improvements in 2-year developmental outcomes were reported in the VICS 2016-2017 cohort compared with previous eras; however, whether these improvements are sustained to school-age is not known. The aim of the follow-up study is to assess neurodevelopmental and respiratory outcomes at school-age in the VICS 2016-2017 cohort and examine the effect of EP/ELBW birth on school-age functioning across the VICS epochs.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a follow-up of the VICS 2016-2017 cohort, a prospective longitudinal cohort study of children born EP/ELBW and a contemporaneous group of term-born controls born in the state of Victoria, Australia. Children were previously assessed at 2 years' corrected age.Follow-up at 8-9 years' corrected age includes a comprehensive assessment of cognitive, motor, social and behavioural development and lung function.Follow-up at 8-9 years' corrected age includes a comprehensive assessment of cognitive, motor, social and behavioural development and lung function.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has approval from the Royal Children's Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee, Melbourne, Australia. The findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journal publications, conference presentations, digital and print media and through parent support/network groups.