THE DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTH OF PREMATURE INFANTS BORN BEFORE THE 30th PREGNANCY WEEK AT THE AGE OF SIX

Abstract

Summary. Aim. To evaluate the health and development of premature infants, born before the 30th gestation week after six years. Methods. The medical history of 45 infants born before the 30th gestation week at Vilnius university Santaros clinics in 2012 was analysed retrospectively. Infants were divided into 3 groups: born on the 22nd–24th or 25th–27th or 28th–30th weeks’ of gestation age. Parents were contacted and requested to fill out a questionnaire about their children’s development and overall health (n = 35). Results. Intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) was diagnosed for 52% (n = 18) of preterm infants (3rd degree IVH for 17% (n = 6), of which 87% (n = 5) had health problems at the age of 6). All premature infants with periventricular leukomalacia (n = 3) have developmental disorders. Visual impairment occurred in all 3 groups, while 32% (n = 11) had further developmental disorders at 6 years old. 26% (n = 9) of children exhibited motor impairment, of which 6 have cerebral palsy and 3 mixed specific developmental disorders. Attention and concentration disorders and lack of self-esteem are observed in all 3 groups. Conclusions. Infant gestation age is inversely proportional to the severity of child’s developmental disorders, emotional and social well-being at 6 years old.