PERINATAL FACTORS AND 2-YEAR MINOR NEURODEVELOPMENTAL IMPAIRMENT IN LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS

Perinatal factors were investigated in 53 low birth weight infants wit h minor neurodevelopmental dysfunction at 2-year follow-up and in 106 consecutive controls matched for gestational age and birth weight (wit hin 100-gram intervals). The obstetrical history, as evaluated by the obstetrical optimality score, was significantly worse in the cases tha n in controls (obstetrical optimality score = 50.9 +/- 5.9 vs. 53.2 +/ - 6.9, p = 0.019 by Mann-Whitney test). Multiple conditional logistic regression analysis showed that after adjustment for socioeconomic sta tus and education of the mother, a low number (<3) of prenatal visits, and a third trimester hemorrhage were the only antenatal factors sign ificantly associated with an increased risk of minor infant neurodevel opmental impairment. Neonatal acidosis (pH <7.2 in the first 24 h of l ife) and male gender were additional significant perinatal risk factor s. Only a few antenatal and perinatal factors are correlated with subs equent minor neurodevelopmental impairment in low birth weight infants .