Neurodevelopmental outcomes after preterm birth

doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7479.1390

BMJ 2004;329:1390-1393 (11 December), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7479.1390

Clinical review

ABC of preterm birth

Neurodevelopmental outcomes after preterm birth

Michael Colvin,

William McGuire, Peter W Fowlie

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Introduction

The major clinical outcomes that are important to preterm infantsand their families are survival and normal long term neurodevelopment.In developed countries over the past 30 years, better perinatalcare has considerably improved these outcomes. This articlecovers the prevalence of neurodevelopmental problems and theirtypes.

Prevalence

For most preterm infants of > 32 weeks' gestation, survivaland longer term neurodevelopment are similar to those of infantsborn at term. Overall, outcomes are also good for infants bornafter shorter gestations. Most infants survive without substantialneurodevelopmental problems and most go on to attend mainstreamschools, ultimately living independent lives.

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Neonatal death rate for preterm infants in Scotland since 1989 (deaths per 1000 live births by gestational age band). Adapted from Scottish perinatal and infant mortality and morbidity report, 2001

A few preterm babies, however, do develop important and lastingneurodevelopmental problems. The period between 20 and 32 weeksafter . . . [Full text of this article]

Cerebral palsy

Visual impairment

Hearing impairment

Learning difficulties

Social development, behaviour, and psychological problems

Quality of life

Neurodevelopmental follow up

Conclusion

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