SOMATIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE EXTREMELY SMAL L PREMATURE BABY

Objective: The aim of the study was to follow up the somatic developme nt of extremely low birth weight children up to the age of 5 years. Me thods: 47 extremely low birth weight children born in 1988-1990 (birth weight 490-990 g,gestational age 24-34 weeks) were investigated concer ning growth, weight, head circumference, head diameter and bone minera l densitiy up to 5 years. Results: Afer corrected age, there was a ret ardation in growth, weight and head-circumference up to the age of 24 months. After this time,there was a normal growth. The median of the S DS was decreased for size -1,7 SD, weight -2,0 SD and also head-circum ference -2,0 SD.6 Children (13%) showed a dolichocephalic head. Bone d ensity and bone width were normal. Conclusion: Extremely low birth chi ldren show a retardation in their somatic development up to 24 months. After that time there is no catch up in the somatic development. Almo st all the children showed normal bone width and normal bone density a nd only 13% had a dolichocephalic head. This might be due to the conse quent calcium and phosphat-supplementation during the postnatal hospit alisation.