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Studies show that very low birthweight can be an important risk factor for mental problems, disturbed fertility and neuroendocrine dysregulation. In a regional long-term study 56 of 86 adult individuals 27 to 28 years of age with a very low birthweight were compared with normal birthweight controls. Analyses of self-reported mental health, socio-demographic factors, sex hormone levels, and hair cortisol levels showed no significant differences between the groups. However, in order to analyse subgroups with different risk factors from the newborn period or children with a variety of social background factors, larger patient groups are needed.

AIM We evaluated the development of reading skills in very low birthweight (VLBW) children and controls at 8-10 years of age. METHODS This study was part of a longitudinal study of VLBW infants born between January 1998 and December 1999 in Sweden. We recruited 49 VLBW children and 44 sex and age-matched full-term controls when they started school at the age of seven and tested them using identical methods for decoding, rapid naming ability, reading comprehension, and spelling and cognitive skills at about eight and 10 years of age. Univariate analysis of variance was performed to assess the effects of VLBW on reading performance at each age and to evaluate the differences between the groups and ages. RESULTS Very low birthweight children scored significantly lower in all domains of reading at 7.8 ± 0.3 years, but the performance gap had narrowed by 9.8 ± 0.3 years. Significant catch-up gains were found in phonological awareness, rapid naming ability and reading comprehension. The differences between the groups were minor at 10 years, when controlled for non-verbal cognition. CONCLUSION Very low birthweight children demonstrated worse reading performance at eight years of age than term-born controls. The gap in reading skills between the groups had largely narrowed two years later.

Aim To assess mental health outcomes of very low birthweight (VLBW

Environmental factors during the fetal period may adversely affect reproductive functions in men being born with very low birth weight (VLBW, Funding agencies: County Council of Ostergotland (ALF grants); Futurum-the Academy for Health and Care, Region Jonkoping County, Sweden

In preterm children with very low birth weight (VLBW amp;lt;= 1500 g), reading problems are often observed. Reading comprehension is dependent on word decoding and language comprehension. We investigated neural activation-within brain regions important for reading-related to components of reading comprehension in young VLBW adolescents in direct comparison to normal birth weight (NBW) term-born peers, with the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We hypothesized that the decoding mechanisms will be affected by VLBW, and expect to see increased neural activity for VLBW which may be modulated by task performance and cognitive ability. The study investigated 13 (11 included in fMRI) young adolescents (ages 12 to 14 years) born preterm with VLBW and in 13 NBW controls (ages 12-14 years) for performance on the Block Design and Vocabulary subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children; and for semantic, orthographic, and phonological processing during an fMRI paradigm. The VLBW group showed increased phonological activation in left inferior frontal gyrus, decreased orthographic activation in right supramarginal gyrus, and decreased semantic activation in left inferior frontal gyrus. Block Design was related to altered right-hemispheric activation, and VLBW showed lower WISC Block Design scores. Left angular gyrus showed activation increase specific for VLBW with high accuracy on the semantic test. Young VLBW adolescents showed no accuracy and reaction time performance differences on our fMRI language tasks, but they did exhibit altered neural activation during these tasks. This altered activation for VLBW was observed as increased activation during phonological decoding, and as mainly decreased activation during orthographic and semantic processing. Correlations of neural activation with accuracy on the semantic fMRI task and with decreased WISC Block Design performance were specific for the VLBW group. Together, results suggest compensatory mechanisms by recruiting additional brain regions upon altered neural development of decoding for VLBW. Funding Agencies|FORSS-the Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden [FORSS-159881]

Background. There are still diverging results concerning the behaviour of children with very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) and they have been questioned to display different levels of stress hormone than normal-birth-weight (NBW) children. Aims. This study examined behaviour and the stress hormone cortisol in children with VLBW at the ages of 7 and 9 years compared with children with NBW. Results. Fifty-one VLBW and 50 NBW children were studied with the Child Behavior Checklist. Cortisol rhythm was measured through saliva samples three times a day for 2 days. VLBW children displayed more behavioural problems than NBW children, specifically social and attention problems, although still within normal ranges. They showed lower cortisol levels both at 7 and 9 years of age. No strong association between behaviour and cortisol levels was shown. Conclusion. VLBW children display more behaviour problems compared with NBW children but both groups score are within the normal range. Down-regulation of their hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function in terms of lower cortisol levels is also noted.

AimThis Swedish study compared reading skills between seven-year-old children with a very low birthweight (VLBW) and controls with a normal birthweight, exploring associations between reading variables and cognition, parent-rated behaviour, perinatal factors and family factors. MethodsWe studied 51 VLBW children, with no major neurodevelopmental impairments and attending their first year at a regular school, and compared them with the 51 sex- and age-matched controls. The test battery, carried out at 7.80.4years of age, included reading skills, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - III and the Child Behaviour Checklist. ResultsVery low birthweight children with a mean birthweight of 1105g (+/- 291g) and a gestational age of 28.8 (+/- 2.2) weeks scored significantly lower in all reading subtests and cognition and demonstrated more behavioural problems than normal birthweight controls. We also found significant associations between poor vocabulary, combined with attention problems, and phonological awareness, rapid naming and spelling control. Perinatal factors had no association with reading function, and socio-economic factors had very few. ConclusionVery low birthweight children demonstrated deficits in all reading domains and had poorer cognition and more behavioural problems at the age of seven, with reading ability related to vocabulary and attention. Funding Agencies|Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden; Futurum - The Academy of Health Care; Jonkoping County Council; Ostergotland County Council; Linkoping University

Background: The survival rates for very low birthweight (VLBW; birthweight ≤1500 g) children are increasing, but they run a greater risk than controls of developing neurosensory disabilities and other functional problems during childhood. However, there is a great need for more knowledge regarding long-term outcome to adulthood in VLBW subjects. Aims: To evaluate long-term outcomes in a regional cohort of VLBW children born in 1987-88 regarding hospital readmissions, morbidity, neurological conditions, cognitive function, reading skills, school achievements, behaviour, growth, general health, and social functioning in relation to gender, neonatal risk factors, disability and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings. Study design: Prospective longitudinal case-controlled long-term regional follow-up. Material and Methods: A total of 86 (80.4%) children (47 boys out of 60 and 39 girls out of 47 live-borns) survived the neonatal period and were recruited to the follow-up study. A total of 86 term controls (45 boys and 41 girls) were included from the newborn period. Readmissions, hospital diagnoses, need of habilitation and child psychiatric care were checked in registers to 15 years of age. The VLBW children were enrolled in the follow-up study at 40 weeks gestational age and at 4, 9, and 15 years of age in assessing neurological conditions. At 15 years of age, the groups were assessed in cognition (WISC III), reading skills, school outcome, behaviour, vision and growth. Fifty-nine (69%) VLBW children were examined using cerebral MRI. Physical and mental health, weight and height, education, and socio-economic situation were assessed at 20 years of age in 77/85 VLBW and 69/84 control subjects by means of postal questionnaires. Results: VLBW boys had three times more readmissions compared with control boys (p=0.003). Gestational age below 30 weeks, birthweight less than 1000 g, and mechanical ventilation were neonatal risk factors for readmissions. Five (5.8%) children had moderate/severe cerebral palsy, 5 (5.8%) had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and 1 was blind due to retinopathy of prematurity. VLBW children were inferior in neurological function in comparison with controls at 40 weeks of gestational age and 4 and 15 years of age. Fourteen of 56 (25%) VLBW children without overt disability had abnormal MRI findings. Mechanical and/or intraventricular haemorrhages (IVH) were significantly related to less favourable neurological outcome. VLBW children performed significantly lower than their controls on a few reading variables and on WISC III. Half of them had IQ lower than 85. Ten VLBW children with IQ < 70 had not been clinically identified earlier and a majority of these children attended mainstream school. Small head circumference correlated with low IQ. Mechanical ventilation and IVH correlated with lower IQ and poorer reading skills. At 20 years of age, the VLBW subjects did not differ significantly from the controls in self-perceived health, education, occupation and way of living. Conclusions: Most VLBW subjects were without major health problems up to 20 years of age and had attended mainstream schools. The presence of IVH and mechanical ventilation during the neonatal period negatively influenced health outcomes. VLBW children without overt neurological disability performed somewhat less well in neurological examinations in comparison with controls. VLBW children achieved poorer results in cognitive tests, but reading skills made a catch-up to 15 years of age. A majority of VLBW subjects managed transition to adulthood similar to that of controls.

Background: The survival rates for very low birthweight (VLBW; birthweight ≤1500 g) children are increasing, but they run a greater risk than controls of developing neurosensory disabilities and other functional problems during childhood. However, there is a great need for more knowledge regarding long-term outcome to adulthood in VLBW subjects. Aims: To evaluate long-term outcomes in a regional cohort of VLBW children born in 1987-88 regarding hospital readmissions, morbidity, neurological conditions, cognitive function, reading skills, school achievements, behaviour, growth, general health, and social functioning in relation to gender, neonatal risk factors, disability and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings. Study design: Prospective longitudinal case-controlled long-term regional follow-up. Material and Methods: A total of 86 (80.4%) children (47 boys out of 60 and 39 girls out of 47 live-borns) survived the neonatal period and were recruited to the follow-up study. A total of 86 term controls (45 boys and 41 girls) were included from the newborn period. Readmissions, hospital diagnoses, need of habilitation and child psychiatric care were checked in registers to 15 years of age. The VLBW children were enrolled in the follow-up study at 40 weeks gestational age and at 4, 9, and 15 years of age in assessing neurological conditions. At 15 years of age, the groups were assessed in cognition (WISC III), reading skills, school outcome, behaviour, vision and growth. Fifty-nine (69%) VLBW children were examined using cerebral MRI. Physical and mental health, weight and height, education, and socio-economic situation were assessed at 20 years of age in 77/85 VLBW and 69/84 control subjects by means of postal questionnaires. Results: VLBW boys had three times more readmissions compared with control boys (p=0.003). Gestational age below 30 weeks, birthweight less than 1000 g, and mechanical ventilation were neonatal risk factors for readmissions. Five (5.8%) children had moderate/severe cerebral palsy, 5 (5.8%) had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and 1 was blind due to retinopathy of prematurity. VLBW children were inferior in neurological function in comparison with controls at 40 weeks of gestational age and 4 and 15 years of age. Fourteen of 56 (25%) VLBW children without overt disability had abnormal MRI findings. Mechanical and/or intraventricular haemorrhages (IVH) were significantly related to less favourable neurological outcome. VLBW children performed significantly lower than their controls on a few reading variables and on WISC III. Half of them had IQ lower than 85. Ten VLBW children with IQ < 70 had not been clinically identified earlier and a majority of these children attended mainstream school. Small head circumference correlated with low IQ. Mechanical ventilation and IVH correlated with lower IQ and poorer reading skills. At 20 years of age, the VLBW subjects did not differ significantly from the controls in self-perceived health, education, occupation and way of living. Conclusions: Most VLBW subjects were without major health problems up to 20 years of age and had attended mainstream schools. The presence of IVH and mechanical ventilation during the neonatal period negatively influenced health outcomes. VLBW children without overt neurological disability performed somewhat less well in neurological examinations in comparison with controls. VLBW children achieved poorer results in cognitive tests, but reading skills made a catch-up to 15 years of age. A majority of VLBW subjects managed transition to adulthood similar to that of controls.

We assessed the relationship between very low birth weight (VLBW) ( or= 9 days was the only remaining significant risk factor for a history of asthma (adjusted OR 6.7, 95%CI 1.0-44). The VLBW children who required mechanical ventilation during the neonatal period were more likely to have bronchial hyperresponsiveness than those not requiring mechanical ventilation (60% vs. 28%, p = 0.050). The spirometric values were similar among the VLBW and the term children at 12 years. Very low birth weight was not significantly related to allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, eczema or positive skin prick tests. Furthermore, the levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma in stimulated cell cultures were similar in the VLBW and the term children. A history of asthma by 12 years of age was twice as common among the VLBW as the term children, and neonatal oxygen supplementation seemed to be associated with the increased risk. Furthermore, mechanical ventilation during the neonatal period was associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness at age 12. Very low birth weight per se was not, however, related to atopy.

The purpose of this study was to test the developmental lag hypothesis, which assumes that a surface pattern of reading difficulties should be attributed to a general developmental delay rather than to specific deficits in the acquisition of orthographic decoding skills. We compared a sample of very low birth weight children (less than 1,500 g), known to be at higher risk of a general developmental delay, with a group of same-age, normal readers. Following the same regression-based procedures seen in the work of Castles and Coltheart (1993); Manis, Seidenberg, Doi, McBride-Chang, and Petersen (1996); and Stanovich, Siegel, and Gottardo (1997), we found that only 1 very low birth weight child could be classified as phonologically dyslexic, whereas 12 out of 60 very low birth weight children were identified as surface dyslexic. This subgroup of children with surface dyslexia was impaired not only in all reading measures employed in this study, but also in several behavioral domains associated with a develop...

Aim: To study health, quality of life, educational level and occupation in very low birth weight (VLBW) children in early adulthood and the relationship of the findings to neonatal risk factors and later handicap. Methods: This is a prospective long-term follow-up study of a regional cohort of 20-year-old VLBW subjects (n = 77) of all surviving VLBW children (n = 86) and 69 ⁄ 86 term controls born in 1987–1988 in the south-east of Sweden. Postal questionnaires were used: 1. A study-specific form, 2. Medical Outcomes Study, Short Form (SF-36), 3. Sense of Coherence. Results: VLBW subjects did not differ significantly from their controls in self-perceived health, use of tobacco, education, occupation and way of living, or scoring on SF-36 and Sense of Coherence. Sixteen had cerebral palsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or isolated mental retardation, and these subjects differed significantly from controls on SF-36 in physical functioning and physical health score, but not on Sense of Coherence. VLBW subjects were significantly lighter and shorter than their controls. Extremely low birth weight (ELBW), bronchopulmonary dysplasia and intraventricular haemorrhage were significantly associated with poorer scores on physical function. Conclusion: The 20-year old VLBW subjects reported perceived health and managed transition to adulthood similar to controls. Handicapped subjects had poorer self-perceived physical function. ELBW and severe neonatal complications were associated with poorer self-perceived physical health.

We have studied the effect of mode of delivery and catecholamine (CA) surge at birth on neurobehaviour 1, 2 and 5 days after birth. Fifteen full-term infants were delivered by elective cesarean section (CS) and 15 full-term control infants were born vaginally. Infants born after elective CS were less excitable and had significantly reduced number of optimal responses during the first 2 days after delivery, compared to the controls. On the 5th day no significant neurological differences were found between the groups. Adrenaline and noradrenaline (NA) in umbilical arterial plasma were analysed in all infants. The mean values of NA were lower in the CS infants as compared to the vaginally delivered infants. Statistically significant correlations were found between low CA levels and poor muscle tone and/or lower grade of excitability in the CS infants. These results suggest that the high CA surge at birth might be of importance for the neurological adaptation after birth.

Very low birthweight (VLBW; birthweightor=1,500 g) children run a greater risk than controls of developing neurosensory disabilities, but also minor neurological disturbances.To assess neurological status from the neonatal period up to fifteen years of age in VLBW children without overt neurological disability in relation to gender, neonatal risk factors, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the brain.A population based follow-up study of VLBW children and their controls.Eighty VLBW children without overt disability, in a cohort of 86 surviving VLBW children, were enrolled in a follow-up study at 40 weeks gestational age and at 4, 9, and 15 years of age. 56 VLBW children were examined with cerebral MRI at 15 years of age.Neurological test scores. MRI findings, principally white matter damage (WMD).VLBW children were inferior in neurological assessments in comparison with controls at 40 weeks gestational age and 4 and 15 years of age. VLBW girls did not differ from their controls at 9 and 15 years. Fourteen of 56 (25%) VLBW children had abnormal MRI findings and 13 were evaluated as mild WMD. Children with WMD did not differ in neurological outcome from those without WMD at any examination. Mechanical ventilation and/or intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) during the neonatal period were significantly related to less a favourable outcome at follow-up examinations.A cohort of VLBW children without overt neurological disability had a poorer neurological condition up to adolescence in comparison with controls. A quarter of the VLBW children had mild WMD but without relation to the neurological functions. Mechanical ventilation and IVH were related to poorer neurological outcome.

Objective: To examine the development of reading skills among very-low-birthweight (VLBW) children and to what extent reading difficulties at 9 years of age persist unchanged, are attenuated, or are enhanced at 15 years of age. Methods: Fifty-six VLBW and 52 normal birthweight (NBW) children were assessed on word decoding, word recognition, and reading comprehension at 9 and 15 years of age. Results: VLBW children showed deficits in reading skill at 9 years of age, while most differences obtained at 15 years of age did not reach significance. VLBW children improved their reading comprehension between 9 and 15 years of age more than NBW children, and when controlling for individual differences in IQ, VLBW children improved both their reading comprehension and word-recognition skill. Conclusion: The results suggest that VLBW children display positive changes over time in reading skills. © The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved.

Early catch-up growth and subsequent overweight are suggested to be associated with later cardiovascular diseases and later type II diabetes. However, the impact of early catch-up growth and childhood overweight on the development of asthma has been less studied, particularly in children born with very low birth weight (VLBW). A birth cohort of 74 VLBW children (birth weightor = 1500 g) was followed from birth and investigated on asthma at 12 yr of age. Early rapid weight gain was in one way defined as an increase of weightor =1 standard deviation score (SDS) at 6 months of corrected postnatal age. Current overweight was defined by body mass index (BMI) exceeding 21.2 and 21.7 kg/m(2), respectively, for boys and girls at 12 yr of age. Current asthma was diagnosed by a pediatrician, according to asthma ever in combination with a positive response to hypertonic saline bronchial provocation test and/or wheeze at physical examination at 12 yr old. Being overweight at 12 yr of age was associated with an increased risk for current asthma in the VLBW children [crude odds ratio (OR): 5.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-22.2]. After adjustment for early weight gain and neonatal risk, the OR of overweight increased nearly three times (adjusted OR: 15.3, 95% CI: 2.5-90.6). Early rapid weight gain seemed to be inversely associated with current asthma (adjusted OR: 0.49 for an increase of weight equal to 1 SDS, 95% CI: 0.23-1.02, p = 0.06). In addition, early rapid weight gain was inversely associated with the magnitude of bronchial responsiveness at 12 yr (coefficient -1.15, p0.01). There was a strong and positive association between overweight and asthma at 12 yr of age in the VLBW children. This strong association had been reduced by early rapid weight gain, possibly via the reduction of bronchial responsiveness.

Obesity is suggested as a risk factor for asthma, but the mechanisms are unclear. The relationship between obesity and asthma has not been considered in children born with very low-birth weight (VLBW). We hypothesized that overweight was a contributing factor for asthma in VLBW children, and that leptin and leptin-associated cytokines might play roles in overweight-related asthma. Seventy-four VLBW and 64 normal birth weight (NBW) children participated in a 12-yr follow up study assessing asthma and allergy. Twenty-seven (12 VLBW) of the 138 children were overweight according to the proposed international definition. The diagnosis of current asthma was made by a pediatrician. Serum levels of leptin and interferon (IFN)-gamma were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Leptin levels were considerably higher in the overweight than in the non-overweight children (median value: 18.1 vs. 2.8 ng/ml, p < 0.001). In the overweight children, current asthmatics had twice as high levels of leptin as children without current asthma (median value: 30.8 vs. 14.3 ng/ml, p = 0.14), but this was not the case in the non-overweight children. IFN-gamma was more often detected in the overweight than in the non-overweight children (61% vs. 12%, p < 0.001), and there was a positive correlation between the levels of leptin and the levels of IFN-gamma (Rho = 0.40, p < 0.001). In the VLBW group, the overweight children had a significantly increased risk for current asthma compared with the non-overweight children after adjustment for the neonatal risk factors [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 5.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-27]. Thus, overweight was associated with asthma in the VLBW children. Our hypothesis remained that leptin might be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma in the overweight children, and IFN-gamma might be a pathway in the process of leptin-induced inflammation.

To investigate school performance, behavior and self-esteem of children with very low birth weight (VLBW).All children with birth weight below 1501 g (VLBW) and normal birth weight controls, born in the south-east region of Sweden during a 15-month period in 1987-88, were enrolled in a prospective follow-up study. At the age of 9 years, 81% and 82%, respectively, were re-examined regarding growth, neurofunctional classification, academic achievement tests, need for special education and behavioral problems. At 12 years, 89% and 76%, respectively, were re-examined regarding growth, neurofunctional classification, visual acuity and self-esteem.VLBW children were shorter and lighter, and differed from the controls with regard to neurological functional classification. They produced poorer results in most academic achievement tests. When the comparison was restricted to children with normal intelligence, almost all the differences in other academic achievements disappeared. VLBW children had more reading difficulties but were less often than expected defined as dyslexics compared to control children. We did not find any major disparity in visual acuity and self-esteem between the groups. Low Apgar scores, intracranial hemorrhage and the need for mechanical ventilation neonatally were associated with poorer results in most outcome measures. Neurofunctional assessments in early childhood were associated with most outcome measures. The mother's education was related to delayed reading skills and need for special education.Although VLBW children performed less well in most academic achievement tests and on some behavioral subscales, those who had a normal intellectual capacity did not differ in any important aspects from the controls.

Objectives: To assess the use of healthcare resources for preterm infants and to evaluate family function and socioeconomic support in a defined population from birth to 4 years of age. Methods: In a prospective case-control study, 39 singleton preterm infants without prenatal abnormalities born during an 18 month period were studied together with their families. The population consisted of 19 very preterm infants (less than 32 weeks) and 20 randomised moderate preterm infants (32‐35 weeks), and the control group comprised 39 full term infants. Contacts with medical services, child health services, and the social welfare system were registered, and family function and life events were studied. Results: The preterm children were more often readmitted to hospital (odds ratio (OR) 6.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0 to 22.1) and had more outpatient attendances (OR 5.6, 95% CI 2.1 to 15.0) during their first year of life. Mothers in the preterm group more often used temporary parental allowance than the control mothers (p < 0.001). The number of contacts with the child health services and the social welfare system did not differ significantly from the controls. Neither was there any significant difference with regard to family function or life events at 4 years of age. Conclusions: A large proportion of the premature children used specialist care during the first years of life. However, the families of the preterm infants were socially well adapted up to four years after birth compared with the control families.

We assessed the relationship between very low birth weight (VLBW) (or=1500 g) and the development of asthma, lung function and atopy. The study groups comprised 74 of all 86 (86%) VLBW and 64 of all 86 (74%) matched term children who were prospectively followed for 12 years. A questionnaire on asthmatic and allergic symptoms was completed and skin prick tests, spirometry and hypertonic saline provocation tests were performed at 12 years of age. Cytokine secretion was analysed in stimulated blood leukocyte cultures in 28 VLBW and 23 term children. A history of asthma was more frequent among the VLBW children, as compared with the term children at age 12 (22% vs. 9%, p = 0.046). Among the VLBW children, very preterm birth (gestational age: week 25 to 29) (RR 2.5, 95%CI 1.1-5.8), neonatal mechanical ventilation (RR 2.8, 95%CI 1.2-6.4) and neonatal oxygen supplementation (RR 4.3, 95%CI 1.3-14.0) were significantly associated with a history of asthma by the age of 12 years in univariate analyses. In multivariate logistic regression, neonatal oxygen supplementationor= 9 days was the only remaining significant risk factor for a history of asthma (adjusted OR 6.7, 95%CI 1.0-44). The VLBW children who required mechanical ventilation during the neonatal period were more likely to have bronchial hyperresponsiveness than those not requiring mechanical ventilation (60% vs. 28%, p = 0.050). The spirometric values were similar among the VLBW and the term children at 12 years. Very low birth weight was not significantly related to allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, eczema or positive skin prick tests. Furthermore, the levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma in stimulated cell cultures were similar in the VLBW and the term children. A history of asthma by 12 years of age was twice as common among the VLBW as the term children, and neonatal oxygen supplementation seemed to be associated with the increased risk. Furthermore, mechanical ventilation during the neonatal period was associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness at age 12. Very low birth weight per se was not, however, related to atopy.

A population-based multicentre study, comprising all very low birthweight (VLBW;or = 1,500 g) infants born alive in the south-east region of Sweden during a 15-month period, was performed in the late 1980s. Among the VLBW infants there were 107 lifebirths (a rate of 0.72%), 86 (80.4%) neonatal survivors and no late deaths. Twenty (18.4%) had intracranial complications, two (2.3%) retinopathy of prematurity, grade 3, and six (5.6%) bronchopulmonary dysplasia. At follow-up at 18 months of uncorrected age, the VLBW infants were still lighter in weight and of shorter stature than control group infants. Of the five (5.8%) of the surviving VLBW infants who had significant neurological disorder at 18 months of age, all had weighed less than 800 g at birth, and had manifested neurological symptoms at 6 months of age. The hospitalisation rate during the first 18 months of life was greater in the VLBW than the control group.

The effects of intrapartal asphyxia on neonatal neurological condition have been studied in 17 full-term infants delivered by emergency cesarean section and in 30 full-term infants delivered by elective cesarean section used as controls. A neurological examination consisting of 31 items was performed on days 1, 2 and 5 after birth. A tonus score, an excitability score as well as the number of optimal responses were calculated. A follow-up examination was done at six months of age with a standardized neurological and developmental examination. The results showed that infants born after emergency cesarean section were significantly more hypotone the first two days after delivery than the infants in the elective cesarean section group. In regard to individual neurological items, significant differences were found between the emergency and elective cesarean section in reaction to sound, rooting, patellar, Moro and stepping reflexes with weaker reactions in the elective cesarean section group. Growth, psychomotor development and neurological status at six months did not differ significantly between the groups. Our findings indicate that full-term infants born after emergency cesarean section due to mild intrapartal asphyxia have a delayed neurological adaptation as expressed by poor muscular tonus during their first days of life compared with infants born after elective cesarean section.

Intrauterine growth retardation is associated with high risk of perinatal asphyxia. The neonatal mortality rate of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants (birthweight ≤ 2 SD) in Sweden decreased from 5.6% in 1973 to 2.0% in 1987. During the same period, the number SGA infants with postnatal asphyxia (5 min Apgar score

Fifty-three infants born after elective cesarean section (CS), and 28 infants born vaginally in breech presentation were compared with 45 full-term controls. A quantitative neurological assessment consisting of 31 items was performed on days 1, 2 and 5 after birth. A tonus score, an excitability score and the number of optimal responses were calculated. A follow-up examination was done at 6 months of age, with a standardized neurological and developmental examination. The results showed that infants born after elective CS in both vertex and breech presentation had significantly reduced number of optimal responses during the first five days after delivery, compared to controls. They were more hypotonic and less excitable than the control infants during the first 2 days. There were no significant differences in neurological results between infants born after CS with general or epidural anaesthesia. The infants born in vaginal breech presentation showed no differences neurologically as compared to the controls on the first day. On days 2 and 5, however, they were less excitable and showed a reduced number of optimal responses. There were few differences in neurological condition between the infants born after elective CS and the infants born vaginally in breech presentation. Growth, psychomotor development and neurological status at 6 months did not differ significantly between the three groups. Our findings indicate that infants born after elective CS and vaginal breech presentation have a delayed neurological adaptation during their first days of life. These differences did not affect the physical well-being of the infants, which showed normal growth, neurology and development at the follow-up at 6 months of age.

Background: Few follow up studies of Very Low Birthweight (VLBW) children are conducted longitudinally. We have performed repeated follow up examinations of a cohort of VLBW children and their controls. At 9 years of age the VLBW children lagged behind in anthropometric measurements, but also in academic achievements. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the differences noted at 9 years persisted at 15 years of age.

NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL OUTCOMES AND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE OF 9-YEAR OLD CHILDREN WITH BIRTHWEIGHTS < 1500 G IN THE SOUTH-EAST REGION OF SWEDEN

20 healthy preterm infants were assessed weekly by the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale from 1–2 weeks after birth until they reached their expected date of birth. The gestational age of the infants ranged from 28 to 34 weeks. Although the full scale could not be used before 36 conceptional weeks. obvious progress in development was found for most items of the scale. In particular there was improvement in orienting responses and in motor performance during the observation period. At full-term age comparisons were made with a group of normal-term infants ( n = 80). All premature infants underwent standard neonatal neurological examination at full term, and tests of neurological function and psychomotor development up to the age of 18 months.

The Brazelton neonatal behavioural assessment scale was applied in 120 healthy full-time newborn infants. Interobserver reliability on day 5 (n = 20), test-retest reliability on day 4-5 (n = 20), and correlations between examinations on day 1 and day 5 (n = 80) were studied with regard to individual and grouped items (subscale) in the test. The over-all interobserver reliability generally seemed to be satisfactory, but low estimates of test-retest reliability were obtained for many items. Items assessing orientation capacity and regulation of state showed better test-retest stability when the predominate states were identical on both occasions. Some subscales were significantly related to parity, sex, birthweight, and age in hours at examination.

The effect of induction of labor on the neonatal bilirubin levels was investigated in a prospective randomized study. Forty-three infants born after elective induction with oxytocin using the Cardiff infusion system and 38 infants born after spontaneous delivery were studied. Several factors other than oxytocin administration which could influence the bilirubin levels such as gestational age, placental transfusion and feeding routines did not differ between the two groups. There were no differences with regard to pH in umbilical vein. Apgar scores, haemoglobin and erythrocyte volume fractions of bilirubin levels neonatally. Thus there was no evidence of an association between induction of labor with oxytocin and jaundice during the neonatal period.

Thirty-two large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants and 46 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) infants used as controls, were investigated. LGA and AGA infants did not differ regarding instrumental deliveries or asphyxia. The infants were examined on the 1st and 5th days after birth with a standardized neurological assessment. The LGA infants showed a significantly delayed neurological adaptation with fewer optimal responses on day one as compared to the AGA infants. These differences were not observed on day five. There were no neurological differences between prenatally and postnatally detected LGA infants. No significant differences were observed regarding parity on maternal complications, neonatal course, and neurological scores of the LGA infants.

A modified Prechtl neurological examination and the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale (BNBAS) were used on days 1 and 5 in 78 healthy newborn infants. Correlations between variables in the neurological examination and the behavioural items and subscales in the BNBAS were calculated. Especially the total neurological score and optimality score were significantly correlated to motor performance (days 1 and 5) and to orienting responses to animate and inanimate stimuli (day 1) in the BNBAS. The neurological variables showed poor or no correlation to the habituation items and to certain items concerned with changes of behavioural state in the BNBAS.

Serial estimations of maternal urinary oestriol, serum cystine aminopeptidase (S-CAP), and human chorionic somatomammotrophin (S-HCS) were studied prospectively in 29 pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth retardation. The newborn growth-retarded infants were examined by neurological and behavioural techniques. Growth variables and neurological and developmental findings were compared with those in 18 healthy controls at 5, 10 and 18 months of age. The growth-retarded infants caught up with regard to body size from 5 months of age, although the severely retarded infants (birth weight less than or equal to -2 SD) differed from the controls with regard to weight and head circumference at 18 months of age. Abnormal maternal oestriol excretions were negatively correlated to weight and length during the follow-up period. Infants who had been severely growth-retarded at birth were neurologically below optimal level at 10 months of age, compared to the controls. There were no significant differences between the growth-retarded infants and the controls with regard to psychomotor development, as assessed by a screening test and by Griffiths' method. Significant correlations were found between abnormal biochemical placental tests (especially urinary oestriol and S-CAP) and psychomotor development. Significant correlations also appeared between neonatal orientation and motor behaviour and some Griffiths' scales at 18 months of age. No relationship was found between the neurological condition in the neonatal period and the neurological findings and development at follow-up.

In a prospective randomized study spontaneous and oxytocin induced labor "for convenience" have been compared with respect to uterine activity, duration of labor, the condition of the fetus and the newborn infant. The study consists of 84 normal patients, of whom 43 were induced at full term by amniotomy and oxytocin infusion using the Cardiff Infusion System Mark II; 41 patients served as controls. No difference in maternal age, number of previous pregnancies and pelvic score one week before the day of delivery were found between the groups. The following parameters were calculated: duration of labor, uterine activity, amount of bleeding in the third stage of labor, number of early and late decelerations as well as number of episodes of bradycardia in the CTG-recordings, birth weight, Apgar score one and five minutes post-delivery and blood gases in mother and child 60 seconds after delivery. No significant differences between the two groups were found. It is concluded that there are no increased risks to mother or fetus compared to normal labor provided that there is cephalic presentation and normal pregnancy, careful selection with respect to the length of pregnancy and the condition of the cervix and that the Cardiff infusion system is used with intrauterine pressure recording and continuous fetal heart monitoring.

Sixteen women delivered by forceps and 20 women delivered by vacuum extraction (VE) owing to secondary uterine inertia were compared with a control group of 11 women who gave birth spontaneously. The cord arterial pH was lower in the VE group than in the forceps and control groups. Base deficit in both arterial and venous cord blood was greater in the VE group than in the forceps group, probably owing to the longer application and extraction times in VE than in forceps delivery. The incidence of retinal hemorrhage did not differ between the forceps and VE groups. The incidence of cephalhematomata was greater among VE infants than in the forceps and control groups. All infants were examined on the 1st and 5th day by standardized neurological and behavioural examination. There were no significant differences in neurological status between the forceps and VE groups. Thus, in low extraction with no signs of fetal asphyxia, either method can be used with safety if the obstetrician is familiar with both methods of operative vaginal delivery.

Leijon, I. (Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital, Linkoping, Sweden). Neurology and behaviour of newborn infants delivered by vacuum extraction on maternal indication. Acta Paediatr Scand, 69:625, 1980.—23 full-term neonates delivered by vacuum extraction (VE) on maternal indication (primary or secondary uterine inertia) but with no sign of fetal asphyxia and a control group of 16 infants were studied. The infants were examined on the 1st and 5th days after birth with the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale and by a standardized neurological examination. On day 1 the VE-infants showed lower visual and auditory responsiveness in the behavioural assessment, and fewer optimal responses in the neurological examination than did the controls. Obstetrical factors such as abnormal presentation, long duration of the second stage of labour, and long duration of VE (≥15 minutes) may explain the differences. The differences between the groups had largely disappeared by day 5.

The effect of induction of labour on the foetus and the newborn was investigated in a prospective randomized study. 41 neonates were studied after induction at full term by amniotomy and intravenous oxytocin infusion. The infusion rate was regulated by the intraamniotic pressure using the Cardiff infusion pump system. 39 neonates served as controls where the labour started spontaneously followed by amniotomy. In both groups foetal heart rate monitoring and intraamniotic pressure recordings were performed. There were no differences in Apgar score and pH in cord blood between the groups. The newborns were evaluated the first and the fifth day of life with the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale and with a modified Prechtl neurological examination. There were no differences in behaviour and neurological state between the two groups. However, within the groups there were significant differences between the first and the fifth day concerning both neonatal behaviour and neurological state.

Serial estimations of maternal urinary oestriol, serum cystine aminopeptidase (S-CAP), and human chorionic somatomammotrophin (S-HCS) were done in a prospective study on 29 pregnancies in which intrauterine growth retardation was diagnosed in the third trimester by the gravidogram method and/or serial ultrasound measurements of the fetal biparietal diameter. The series was divided into 2 growth-retarded groups: (i) severe growth retardation with birth weight less than -2 SD from the mean for gestational age (N = 14); (ii) moderate growth retardation with birth weight between −1 and −2 SD from the mean for gestational age (N = 15). These were compared with a control group of 18 normal pregnancies and infants. A modified Prechtl neurological examination and the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale (NBAS) were done in the neonatal period at full-term age. Both categories of growth-retarded infants showed lower muscle tonus than the controls. The severely growth-retarded infants showed fewer optimal items in the neurological examination; they also showed poorer capacity for orientation to external stimuli, inferior motor function, and less physiological stability in NBAS than the controls. The abnormal biochemical placental tests were significantly correlated to low Apgar scores (urinary oestriol), to low excitability (S-CAP) and to poor motor function (S-HCS). The neurological and behavioural condition of the neonate seemed to be more closely associated to the extent of growth retardation than to the occurrence of abnormal biochemical placental tests.

Children of very low birth weight (VLBW), defined as less than 1500 g, and normal birth weight controls (NBW) were enrolled in a long-term follow-up study. Five of 86 surviving VLBW children had a neurological handicap. Seventy VLBW children and 72 NBW children were re-examined at the age of nine, which entailed a neurological examination, a non-verbal intelligence test and a test for reading ability, mathematical skills and vocabulary. Their behavior was rated regarding hyperactivity, social behavior and fine and motor skills. The two groups differed with regard to the neurological examination and the tests, with poorer results shown for the low birth weight group. The VLBW children were also more hyperactive and scored lower on fine motor skills. Considering only those who scored normally as regards non-verbal intelligence (54% of VLBW children and 88% of controls), practically all differences disappeared.

In this study, 70 very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) children (

The prognostic value of neonatal neurological examinations was studied in 29 growth-retarded newborn infants and 18 normal infants using a modified Prechtl neurological examination and the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale (BNBAS) in the neonatal period. Infants with severe growth retardation (birthweight less than - 2 SD from the mean for gestational age) showed lower muscular tone, fewer optimal scores, poorer orientation capacity, inferior motor function, and less phsysiological stability than the controls (p < 0.05 for each of them). The growth-retarded infants showed poorer results in psychomotor development as assessed by Griffiths' test at 5, 10, 18 months and 5 years of age, lower intelligence (WISC) and poorer reading ability at 8 years of age. Hypotonus and low optimal scores assessed in the neonatal neurological examination correlated to poor results in the WISC and the reading test. No relationship was found between the results of the BNBAS and intelligence and reading ability at 8 years of age. Thus the BNBAS is of limited value as a prognostic instrument regarding psychomotor development.