386 A Count of three Neonatal Morbidities may Substitute for Long-Term Neurodevelopmental follow-up in very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) Infants

Abstract

In very preterm infants who survive to a postmenstrual age (PMA) of 36 weeks, a count of BPD, brain injury and severe ROP predicts the risk of a later death or neurosensory impairment at 18 months (JAMA 2003; 289:1124). To validate this count of 3 neonatal morbidities as a predictor of poor long-term outcome in VLBW infants who participated in the CAP Trial. Five-year follow-up of 1514 CAP trial participants who survived to a PMA of 36 weeks. Poor outcome was a late death or survival with one or more disabilities. The incidences of BPD, brain injury and severe ROP were 40%, 13%, and 6.0%, respectively. Each morbidity was similarly and independently correlated with a poor 5-year outcome. Tabl..