Aim: To determine growth, neurological and cognitive development at 5 years of preterm infants with birthweights <501 g born in three German tertiary perinatal centres between 1998 and 2001.
Methods: Structured neurological examination, the Gross Motor Function Classification Scale and the Kaufman‐Assessment‐Battery Test for Children.
Results: Of 107 infants, 48 received immediate life support (gestational age 25.2 weeks [21–30.7]; birth weight 435 g [290–500]) median [range]), 27 (56%) survived until follow‐up [95% CI 39–69%], 19 (70%) could be tested. In few infants had catch‐up growth taken place. Neurological test results were normal in five infants (26%) and mildly abnormal/severely abnormal in 11 (58%)/3 (16%) infants. Visual impairment was present in eight (42%), and hearing disability in three (16%). The mean mental processing composite (IQ) was 82 [50–104] (median [range]).
Conclusion: Of all resuscitated infants with a birthweight <501 g, 56% survived to school age. Of these, composite outcome score showed normal development or mild disability in one‐half, and moderate or severe disability in the other half of them. Investigators should include such infants in studies and their reports should give specific information about them.