Survival and neurodevelopmental outcome of ELBW children at 5 years of age: comparison of two cohorts born 10 years apart.

AIM: To examine survival and outcome of extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) children (birth weight < 1000 g) in two 5-year periods, 10 years apart.

METHODS

In a retrospective population-based study, information on all ELBW children born in Iceland in 1991-1995 and in 2001-2005 was obtained from the National Birth Registry, hospital charts and medical records. The two periods were compared.

RESULTS

In 1991-1995, 102 of 22.261 newborn children (0.5%) were extremely low birth weight compared with 70 of 20.923 newborns (0.33%) in 2001-2005 (p = 0.04). At 5 years of age, 52% (35/67) of live-born children born in 1991-1995 were alive compared with 63% (31/49) of children born in 2001 - 2005 (p = 0.2). Six ELBW children (17%) born 1991-1995 were diagnosed with disabilities at 5 years of age, three with major neurodevelopmental disabilities compared with six (19%) born 2001-2005, thereof one with severe neurodevelopmental disabilities (p = 0.57).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of childhood disabilities in ELBW children in Iceland remains stable despite an increase in survival rate. The severity of neurodevelopmental disabilities has decreased.