Aim: To examine survival and outcome of extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) children (birth weight < 1000 g) in two 5-year periods, 10 years apart.
Methods: In a retrospective population-based study, information on all ELBW children born in Iceland in 1991-1995 and in 2001-2005 was obtained from the National Birth Registry, hospital charts and medical records. The two periods were compared.
Results: In 1991-1995, 102 of 22.261 newborn children (0.5%) were extremely low birth weight compared with 70 of 20.923 newborns (0.33%) in 2001-2005 (p = 0.04). At 5 years of age, 52% (35/67) of live-born children born in 1991-1995 were alive compared with 63% (31/49) of children born in 2001 - 2005 (p = 0.2). Six ELBW children (17%) born 1991-1995 were diagnosed with disabilities at 5 years of age, three with major neurodevelopmental disabilities compared with six (19%) born 2001-2005, thereof one with severe neurodevelopmental disabilities (p = 0.57).
Conclusion: The incidence of childhood disabilities in ELBW children in Iceland remains stable despite an increase in survival rate. The severity of neurodevelopmental disabilities has decreased.
© 2012 The Author(s)/Acta Paediatrica © 2012 Foundation Acta Paediatrica.