DETERMINANTS OF DEVELOPMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF VERY LOWBIRTHWEIGHT SURVIVORS AT ONE AND TWO YEARS OF AGE

Abstract

Developmental outcome of 61 very-low-birthweight [human] infants was studied prospectively by means of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 1 and 2 yr of age, corrected for prematurity. Preliminary analysis revealed that the mean scores for mental and psychomotor development were within the normal limits at both testing occasions. Further analysis showed that there was a significant decrease in mental development scores from 1-2 yr of age, due primarily to an increase in the numbers of low-scoring children with hyperactive behavior at 2 yr. Separate subgroups of children with suboptimal mental and psychomotor development scores were characterized at both testing occasions by the presence of hyperactive behavior and disability, usually of a minor degree. The presence of hyperactivity, disability and lowered mental performance may help in the early identification of children at increased developmental risk.