Background: Recent advances in medicine has improved the overall management of premature infants who are in turn at risk of developing developmental problems. This area of research is currently explored to limited extent.

Methods: This is a longitudinal study of very low birth weight infant (VLBW) survivors born between 2017 and 2020 and were followed up to assess their developmental outcomes till 3 years. All neonates have been assessed with general examination and clinical history and factors associated with poor outcomes were evaluated.

Results: Thirty-four neonates with a mean age of 2.4±0.5 years (Range 2-3) with equal male to female ratio 17(50%) were included. The mean gestational age was 32.8 months (Range 27.2-37.6). Their mean birth weight was 1.3±0.2kg. Majority were born Preterm 22(64.7%) and only a few 7(20.6%) were adequate for gestational age. Respiratory distress and fetal cervical hyperextension were commonly diagnosed in these infants. Developmental abnormalities were noted in 8(23.5%) infants. The most common development issues were gross motor in 4(50%), fine motor 3(37.5%), vision 3(37.5%), and language 2(25%) impairment. The mean age of these were 31.7 years, mean weight was 1.2kg, 6(75%) were small for gestational age, 4(50%) had respiratory distress.

Conclusions: Among VLBW survivors a significant one quarter (23.5%) proportion of infants had poor developmental outcomes. VLBW infants can develop learning difficulties at school and need long-term follow up.

Keywords: Very low birth weight infants, developmental impairments, Preterm, Outcomes.

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Dr Shruti Dhale

Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Grant Government Medical College and Sir J.J. Group of   Hospitals, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India - 400001