Effects of birthweight and sociodemographic variables on mental development of neonatal intensive care unit survivors

Article Abstract:

Current survivors of neonatal intensive care have improved developmental outcome compared with similar infants born 10 years ago. The survivors still score below normal on mental development tests. The developmental outcome is influenced by both physical and environmental factors. Factors known to be associated with premature birth, were studied in a group of 6,281 infants over a five-year period. The child's sex, race, family income, mother's marital status, age and educational level were included. Mental development was assessed by two tests, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development performed from 12 to 24 months, and the Stanford Binet Intelligence test performed at four to five years of age. Lower scores were seen four to five years later in children born weighing less than 2.2 pounds. Mental development scores decline with age at all birth weights. Sociodemographic factors were thought to have a greater influence over poor mental development than low birth weight. Race and the mother's educational background contributed to the mental development over the five-year scores. Therefore, the poor mental development of neonatal intensive care survivors is not caused by weight per se but by socioeconomic factors. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Social aspects, Evaluation, Physiological aspects, Infants (Premature), Premature infants, Neonatal intensive care, Child development, Child development deviations, Infant development, Birth weight

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Maternal reproductive histories in ataxic cerebral palsy

Article Abstract:

Ataxic cerebral palsy, a condition characterized by the absence of muscle coordination, is thought to result from damage to the brain which occurs early in prenatal history. There have been anecdotal reports indicating a history of fetal wastage, or spontaneous abortion and stillbirth, in mothers of children with ataxic cerebral palsy, suggesting that a suboptimal intrauterine environment may be involved. However, the examination of 36 patients with ataxic cerebral palsy and interviews with their mothers was able to discern no such relationship. The rates of spontaneous abortion and stillbirth were identical to those seen in 60 matched control women. Of the 36 mothers of children with ataxic cerebral palsy, all but three gave birth to unaffected children after the birth of the index case. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Cerebral palsy

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Hypoxic-ischemic fetal insult resulting from maternal aortic root replacement, with normal fetal heart rate at term

Article Abstract:

A case is reported of a 32-year-old pregnant woman whose fetus developed brain damage when she had surgery on her aorta to treat aortic dissection. Aortic dissection occurs when part of the aorta splits open. It is a medical emergency, and for that reason her physicians did not deliver the baby by cesarean before beginning heart surgery. During surgery, the baby's status was poor. When she was finally born, she had evidence of brain damage.

Case studies, Dissecting aneurysm, Aortic dissection, Fetal anoxia

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