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Functional Outcome at Adolescence for Infants Less Than 801 G Birth Weight: Perceptions of Children and Parents

Journal of Perinatology volume 23, pages 41–47 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare functional, emotional, and academic status of adolescents who had been extremely low birth weight (ELBW) with those who were full term.

STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-six adolescents who were born in 1983 to 1984 at less than 801 g birth weight were compared with 26 adolescents born at term. Adolescent-perceived status was assessed using the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-SR) and the Self-Perception Profile. Parents' perceptions were assessed using BASC Parent Report, Family Impact Questionnaire, and Functional Status Measure. Health status was obtained through written requests to primary care providers and parent interviews. Academic and attendance information was obtained through school records.

RESULTS: Compared to the term adolescents, the ELBW group had significantly lower function related to health status, increased need for special education, and tended to score lower on academic performance measures. However, ELBW adolescents' perceptions regarding their scholastic, athletic, or social competencies did not differ from the term group or national normative data. Parents of ELBWs reported lower adaptive skills, but no other behavioral differences from the term group.

CONCLUSION: ELBW survivors and their parents perceived outcome at adolescence positively in spite of evident limitations. Mechanisms that ELBW families use to cope may be important determinants for successful, long-term outcome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Kansas, 2006 Dole Human Development Center, Lawrence, KS, USA

    Keri J Brown MA

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO, USA

    Howard W Kilbride MD & Wendy Turnbull PhD

  3. Department of Psychology, Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, USA

    Kathleen Lemanek PhD

Authors
  1. Keri J Brown MA
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  2. Howard W Kilbride MD
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  3. Wendy Turnbull PhD
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  4. Kathleen Lemanek PhD
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Additional information

This work was supported by a grant from the Katharine B. Richardson Research Endowment Fund and the Clinical Scholars Award at Children's Mercy Hospital.

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Brown, K., Kilbride, H., Turnbull, W. et al. Functional Outcome at Adolescence for Infants Less Than 801 G Birth Weight: Perceptions of Children and Parents. J Perinatol 23, 41–47 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7210850

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