Bassler et al reported comorbid conditions associated with a poor outcome for an extremely low birth weight infant. These findings can be helpful when informing parents about the outcome for a child. The authors are from McMaster University, Emory University, University of Toronto, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (Edmonton) and the University of Calgary.
Patient selection: extremely low birth weight infant (500 to 999 grams) who survives to 36 weeks postmenstrual age
Criteria for poor outcome at 18 months:
(1) death
(2) cerebral palsy
(3) cognitive delay
(4) severe hearing loss
(5) bilateral blindness
Key neonatal comorbid conditions associated with poor outcome:
(1) bronchopulmonary dysplasia (need for supplemental oxygen at 36 weeks postmenstrual age)
(2) brain injury
(3) severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP, stage 4 or 5)
Meningitis was associated with a poor outcome but was uncommon (odds ratio 4.0).
Other infections (including sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis) increased the risk of a poor outcome slightly (odds ratio 1.3 for sepsis; 1.6 for NEC).
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