Health of VLBW infants in Germany at five years of age: What do parents describe?

Juliane Spiegler; Guido Stichtenoth; Inke R König; Egbert Herting; Wolfgang Göpel; German Neonatal Network (GNN)

doi:10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2017.10.003

Health of VLBW infants in Germany at five years of age: What do parents describe?

Early Hum Dev. 2017 Dec:115:88-92. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2017.10.003. Epub 2017 Oct 9.

Authors

Juliane Spiegler¹, Guido Stichtenoth², Inke R König³, Egbert Herting², Wolfgang Göpel²; German Neonatal Network (GNN)

Affiliations

¹ Department of Paediatrics, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538 Luebeck, Germany. Electronic address: uni@dr-spiegler.de.
² Department of Paediatrics, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538 Luebeck, Germany.
³ Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538 Luebeck, Germany.

PMID: 29024833
DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2017.10.003

Abstract

Background: There are only few data on medical problems and utilization of health services of former very low birth weight (VLBW) children at preschool age.

Study design: At five years of age parents of a cohort of VLBW children (N=862) received questionnaires, a medical interview and examination. The results were compared to the KIGGS cohort (Deutscher-Kinder-und Jugendgesundheitssurvey, N=777).

Results: Parents of the VLBW and KIGGS cohort reported a very good or good health in 95% in their children. When compared to the KIGGS cohort, families in the VLBW cohort had a lower social economic status. The VLBW cohort suffered more frequently from disabilities (9.6% vs. 1.4%), from chronic bronchitis (45% vs. 17%) and from recurrent pain (headaches (20% vs. 7%), ear (16% vs. 6%), throat (23% vs. 8%), tooth (10% vs. 3%)). The VLBW cohort received more specialized care (ophthalmologist, ENT, orthopaedics, paediatric neurologist).

Conclusion: Families of VLBW children report a good health status in their children, but they utilized more specialized care. Higher rates of pain are reported in the VLBW cohort. Chronic bronchitis and various upper respiratory infections cause an increased morbidity in former VLBW children. Follow up programs are needed to develop optimal treatment and prevention strategies for these problems.

Keywords: Chronic bronchitis; Infection; Pain; Utilization of health system; Very low birth weight.

MeSH terms

Adult
Bronchitis / epidemiology
Child
Disabled Children / statistics & numerical data
Eye Diseases / epidemiology
Female
Germany
Health Services / statistics & numerical data
Health Status*
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature / growth & development
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / growth & development*
Male
Pain / epidemiology
Parents