Health, growth, and use of community services in NICU graduates at early school age

Purpose: To examine outcomes related to health, growth, and use of community health and education services in children ages 6 to 8 years who received hewborn intensive care because of prematurity or perinatal complications. Method: Parents of 81 children who had received neonatal intensive care at a Midwest US tertiary care center completed a mailed questionnaire Three birth weight groups (very low birth weight [VLBW] < 1500 g, n = 35; low birth wieght [LBW] 1501-2500 g, n = 24, and normal birth weight [NBW]>2500 g, n = 22) were compared regarding growth, health, and use of community-based services using descriptive statisics and one-way analysis of variance. Findings: VLBW and NBW groups had more ongoing health concerns. Growth patterns were similar in all groups. VLBW and NBW groups demonstrated greater use of community-based services, and service use increased at school age. Conclusions: Comprehensive systems are needed for follow-up of high-risk infants to detect and refer problems early. Neonatal histories must be tracked throughout childhood. Seriously ill term NBW infants are at risk for later morbidity and require follow-up similar to that provided for VLBW children.