The Growth and Development of Low Birth Weight Infants Receiving Intensive Neonatal Care

Abstract

This study reports the growth and development of 28 survivors who had a birth weight of ≤1,000 g and were cared for at a Regional Neonatal In tensive Care Unit. Only eight (30%) had neurologic abnormalities including spastic hemiparesis, retrolental fibroplasia, hydrocephalus, motor retarda tion, and some delay in language skills. The other survivors had normal physical examinations and developmental progress judged by a variety of screening examinations up to age four years, three months. The average caloric intake during the first week was 61 kg/da, although over half never reached that level until day 4. Nearly all the infants have had standard growth patterns thus far.