PSYCHOSOCIAL AND PSYCHOMOTORIC DEVELOPMENT OF VERY-LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS WITH NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS

Twenty-six very low birthweight infants (VLBI) were treated for necrot izing enterocolitis (NEC). We investigated their consecutive health pr oblems and psychosocial development. Method: One to 13 years after ons et of NEC, follow-up studies were performed in 12 of the surviving chi ldren. Identical follow-up studies were performed in 6 VLBI who had be en operated on for diseases other than NEC (control group). We used a detailed interview, a Denver test and a drawing test. Results: Five ch ildren of the NEC group had major persistent health problems that impa ired their psychomotoric and psychosocial development (including heari ng impairment, concomitant strabismus, early onset bronchial asthma). Nine of 12 VLBI of the NEC group showed signs of reduced social contac t, logopaedic problems and minimal partial skill reductions. Conclusio n: We found similar results in both children who suffered from NEC and in a small control group of VLBI who had not suffered from NEC, there fore impaired psychomotoric and psychosocial development is probably d ue to prematurity.