Prognostic factors for walking attainment in very low-birthweight preterm infants

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the age of walking attainment between very low-birthweight (VLBW) preterm infants and normal term infants, and to determine the variables that affect the walking attainment in VLBW infants. Ninety-six VLBW preterm infants and 82 normal term infants were prospectively followed to determine their age of walking attainment and to monitor gross motor development with sequential clinic visits at 6, 9, 12 and 18 months corrected age. Perinatal and sociodemographic data were collected through review of medical records. The VLBW infants were significantly older at attainment of walking (median 14 months) than the term infants (median 12 months) after correction for prematurity. By the age of 18 months, all term infants had attained walking ability; while 11% of VLBW infants were still unable to walk. Multivariate proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that low gestational age was significantly associated with late attainment of walking in VLBW infants. With the adjustment for gestational age, prolonged ventilation (or oxygen therapy) and severe retinopathy of prematurity were significant predictors of late walking attainment. Our findings indicate that VLBW preterm infants have an increased risk of delayed attainment of walking. Furthermore, the contribution of low gestational age to the delayed walking attainment in VLBW infants may occur via the plausible pathways of neonatal respiratory distress and severe retinopathy of prematurity.