Growth and Development of Very Low Birth Weight Infants Aged 18-24 Months at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health
Varaporn Sangtawesin MD*, Yupayao Singarj MD*, Wiboon Kanjanapattanakul MD*
Affiliation : *Neonatal Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : The number of very low birth weight (VLBW) births is increasing worldwide. Despite better care in recent
years, they have a high incidence of delayed growth and development. There are no previous studies regarding the growth
and development of these infants at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health (QSNICH).
Objective : To study growth and developmental outcome of VLBW infants, aged 18-24 months who were discharged from
QSNICH.
Material and Method: VLBW infants who were discharged from QSNICH during the year 2007 were recruited in the study.
Patients with chromosomal abnormalities, major congenital anomalies, definite congenital infections and positive maternal
anti-HIV tests were excluded. At the corrected age of 18-24 months, the parents were called upon to bring their infants for
complete physical examination and developmental evaluation on 2 occasions, two months apart.
Results : There were 111 cases of VLBW infants who were discharged from QSNICH during the year 2007. Fifty-four patients
were eligible for the present study. Thirty cases (55.56%) were contacted for the first examination. During this examination,
there were 3 cases (10%) with low head circumference, 1 case (3.33%) with poor weight gain, 5 cases (16.67%) with visual
defect, 1 case (3.33%) with moderately severe hearing loss, 1 case (3.33%) with cerebral palsy and 7 cases (23.33%) with
delayed development. Twenty-one cases could be recalled for a second evaluation. Two of the 5 cases had delayed language
development. There were no cases with hydrocephalous, blindness or profound hearing loss.
Conclusion : VLBW infants at QSNICH had much better survival during recent years. Most of these survivors had normal
growth and development. Those with delayed growth and development need aggressive intervention and long term follow-up
for enhancement of quality of their lives.
Keywords : Very low birth weight, Growth, Development, 18-24 months
