Physical growth and current health status of infants who were of extremelylow birth weight and controls at adolescence

Objectives. To compare the physical growth, current health status, and util ization of health care resources by extremely low birth weight (ELBW) and c ontrol (C) adolescents and to look at changes over time. Methods. A longitudinal regional cohort study was conducted. Growth measure s were converted to z scores on the National Center for Health Statistics g rowth curves. Information regarding current health status/ health care util ization was obtained by parental interviews. Results. A total of 154 (91%) of 169 ELBW survivors between 12 and 16 years and 125 (86%) of 145 controls participated. Neurosensory impairments were present in 28% of ELBW survivors and 2% of control participants. Mean z sco res for both height and weight were below 0 for ELBW survivors (weight: -0. 35; height: -0.55) compared with control participants (weight: 0.40; height : 0.28). However, among ELBW survivors, significant catch-up growth occurre d in both parameters between age 8 and adolescence but remained stable amon g control participants. ELBW survivors had a higher prevalence of visual pr oblems (57% vs 21%), seizures (7% vs 1%), developmental delay (26% vs 1%), learning disabilities (34% vs 10%), and hyperactivity (9% vs 2%) and used m ore specialists and community resources than did control participants. Conclusions. Although physical growth continues to be compromised and subst antial morbidity remains among ELBW survivors at adolescence, there seems t o be some catch-up growth, a reduction in the prevalence of acute health pr oblems, and a decrease in the utilization of medical resources.