Neurocognitive outcome after very preterm birth

Abstract

Premature birth is not normal. Very preterm birth results from major disturbance of pregnancy at a time of rapid growth and development. This review looks at outcomes of premature birth at various stages of life with a view to developing and benchmarking perinatal services.

Figure 1

Proportion of survivors of birth weight ⩽ 1000 g with cerebral palsy, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each estimate, from seven studies.^22–28 Studies reporting consecutive cohorts from a single population are joined by a line.

Figure 2

Proportion of survivors born at ⩽ 26 weeks gestational age with cerebral palsy, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each estimate, from six studies.^16,29–33 Studies reporting consecutive cohorts from a single population are joined by a line.

Figure 3

Disability rates for children of birth weight ⩽ 1000 g cared for by the Nottingham Neonatal Service between 1981 and 1999 as three year rolling averages, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each estimate (E Knight Jones, N Marlow, Nottingham Neonatal Service Passport to Health Scheme, unpublished data).