Article Text
Abstract
Background and Aims To examine neurosensory outcomes and special health care needs in 10 to 16-year-old extremely preterm (EPT) children born at 2 tertiary care centers in Sweden adhering to a policy of universal resuscitation of all infants born alive.
Design and methods The outcomes of 122 surviving EPT children were compared to a matched control of children born at term. Neurosensory impairments (NSI) were assessed by review of pediatric case records, intelligence by WISC-III, and functional limitations and special health care needs by validated parental interviews (QUICCC).
Results Of 213 consecutive EPT live births, 140 (66%) survived to discharge home and 6 infants died in the first year of life. Of survivors, 122 children (91%) were recruited for the study. Table 1 shows rates of disabilities. EPT children had significantly higher rates of functional limitations and special health care needs than controls but the vast majority was free from severe disability that curtail them from activities of daily life.
Conclusions Disability rates and special health care needs remain high in EPT children, but have not increased since 1990s despite the marked increase in their survival.