Surgery and the tiny baby: Sensorineural outcome at 5 years of age

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether an association exists between long-term sensorineural outcome andthe need for surgery requiring general anaesthesia during the primary hospitalization in extremely preterm (<27 weeks of gestational age) or extremely low birthweight (ELBW, birthweight <1000 g) infants. Methodology: A geographically determined cohort study of extremely preterm or ELBW children in the State of Victoria, Australia. The study subjects were consecutive survivors with either gestational ages <27 weeks or birthweights <1000 g born in the State of Victoria during 3 years from 1 January 1985. The main outcome measure was the rate of sensorineural disability at 5 or more years of age in ..