Minor Morbidity
Medical
As a group, ELBWs tend to plot at the 10th percentile for weight and height through age 8, although some 10-20% remain below the 3rd percentile. There has been no documented delay in puberty due to prematurity. By age 14, most have increased in percentiles for both weight and height, but remain 16-18 pounds lighter and 1.5-2 inches shorter than their normal birthweight (NBW) peers. Since 90% of head growth occurs in the first 2 years of life, catch-up growth in head circumference will only occur during that time. Threshold ROP (45%) and SGA at birth (38%) are risk factors for microcephaly at age 5.22% of ELBWs are diagnosed with asthma and are on regular medications. This compares to 9% of the NBW population. However, pulmonary function tests are usually normal by adolescence, even in those with a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Twice as many ELBWs as NBW babies have attention-deficit disorder with hyperactivity requiring regular medications.17% of ELBWs required rehospitalization by age 8, compared to only 6% of term babies. Reasons for rehospitalization are varied:
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Although 10-40% of babies with BPD have systemic hypertension in the early months after NICU discharge, it usually resolves by 1-2 years of age. There does not seem to be an increase in the incidence of hypertension at school-age in premature babies.Return to top of page