PREDICTORS FOR SURVIVAL AND NORMAL NEURODEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME OF INFANTS WEIGHING LESS THAN 1001 GRAMS AT BIRTH

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Between 1979 and 1981, 67 infants weighing 1000g or less at birth were admitted to the Hammersmith Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. 29 survived the neonatal period. Low acidosis score, without a metabolic component, was the most powerful predictor of survival. Other factors were gestational age, five-minute Apgar score, the need for ventilatory support, hypoxia, hypercapnia, pneumothorax, hypotension and the presence of a large PVH. Of the 24 survivors followed up to three years of age, 11 were optimal, nine had some neurodevelopmental deficits and three had moderate functional handicap. Only one child has cerebral palsy and global mental retardation. Five minute Apgar score and the presence of PDA correlated with normal outcome. None of the 20 obstetrical factors examined appeared to influence either survival or neurological outcome.