Developmental problems in very prematurely born children.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to describe the developmental outcome of routine follow-up assessments at the age of five years in a regional cohort of children born at a gestational age < 32 weeks and to investigate neonatal risk factors associated with developmental problems.

Material and methods: The cohort consisted of 237 infants with a gestational age ≥ 24 and < 32 weeks born in the 1996-2000 period. The children were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children and Miller Assessment for Preschoolers. The presenting clinical and demographic features were investigated for their association with developmental problems at five years of age by determining odds ratios in univariate analysis. The results are given with 95% confidence intervals.

Results: 14% died. 86% of the surviving children were routinely assessed at five years of age. 40% of the children had a normal developmental outcome, 41% were to be observed for developmental deficiencies and 19% had developmental deficiencies. Male gender, low social group, a gestational age < 28 weeks, sepsis, persistent ductus arteriosus, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and abnormal cerebral ultrasound were significantly associated with an unfavourable developmental outcome.

Conclusion: More than half of the assessed very prematurely born children had developmental problems at five years of age. Children who were to be observed for developmental deficiencies outnumbered children with deficiencies at a two to one ratio. Follow-up assessments of very prematurely born children are still needed to evaluate changes in neonatal practise and developmental outcome in the future.

Funding: not relevant.

Trial registration: not relevant.