Little wonders

NZ research confirms most very-low-birthweight babies go on to lead healthy lives - though they could benefit from extra monitoring.

- BY NICKY PELLEGRINO

Thanks to advances in neonatal medicine, premature babies have been surviving at lower and lower birthweights. There has always been a question mark over how well these infants will develop and what health problems they might face in adulthood, and the New Zealand Very Low Birthweight Study has been tracking one group born in 1986 weighing less than 1500g.

So far, the news is good for most, says paediatrician and neonatalist Brian Darlow, who has led this longitudinal study at the University of Otago from the outset. Although about 5% were dealing with severe disability and another 5% had moderate disability, most were leading healthy and productive lives, despite their difficult start.

“They do have some problems, but all of us have problems and challenges, and the overall message is that the vast majority of this group are doing absolutely fine,” says Darlow.

Each year, about 4500 babies are born preterm (before 37 weeks of gestation). That puts them at greater risk of heart and lung problems, hearing and sight issues and developmental delays.