Dental status of young adults born with very low birthweight: A national cohort study

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTIONYoung adults are often reluctant to seek medical attention. Compared with full-term controls, very low birthweight (<1500 g; VLBW) young adults may have more health problems. AIMTo assess the frequency of unrecognised or unmet physical health needs during a comprehensive health and welfare assessment of a national cohort of VLBW adults born in 1986 compared with full-term controls. METHODSThe VLBW cohort (n = 229; 71% of those alive) and controls (n = 100) aged 27–29 years were assessed in one University Hospital over 2 days. Physical health assessments included growth, respiratory function, blood pressure, echocardiogram, renal function, blood tests and an interview. Cranial MRI scans were performed on 150 VLBW adults and 50 controls. Significant unrecognised or unmet health needs were defined as including a body mass index (BMI) >30 plus raised fasting insulin >80 pmol/L; any two of moderate respiratory obstruction, or reduced diffusing capacity, or being a regular smoker; cardiovascular: hypertension or abnormal echocardiogram. RESULTSAmong the VLBW cohort and controls; 61% versus 73% (P < 0.05) rated their overall health as very good or excellent. A general practitioner (GP) referral letter was sent for 44% VLBW adults and 38% controls, concerning metabolic problems in 20% and 17% respectively; respiratory problems in 12% and 4% (P < 0.05) respectively; cardiovascular problems in 14% and 12% respectively; abnormal renal function in 7% in both groups; and anaemia in 3% and 5% respectively. DISCUSSIONUnrecognised or unmet health needs were frequent in both VLBW young adults and controls. Respiratory problems and hypertension were more frequent in the former. Continuity of care is important for VLBW adults who require a regular GP. GPs should routinely ask about gestation and birthweight and VLBW graduates should volunteer this information.

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Vision in former very low birthweight young adults with and without retinopathy of prematurity compared with term born controls: the NZ 1986 VLBW follow-up study

British Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1136/bjophthalmol-2017-311345 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 102 (8) ◽

pp. 1041-1046 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Brian A Darlow ◽

Mark J Elder ◽

Bridget Kimber ◽

Julia Martin ◽

L John Horwood

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Retinopathy Of Prematurity ◽

Low Birthweight ◽

Visual Assessment ◽

Very Low Birthweight ◽

Everyday Activities ◽

Registration Number ◽

National Cohort ◽

History Of ◽

Few Data

ObjectiveThere are few data on visual outcomes in adulthood of former very low birthweight (VLBW; <1500 g) infants. We aimed to assess vision at 27–29 years in a national cohort of VLBW infants born in 1986 and assessed for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) when no treatment was available, compared with term born controls.MethodsThe cohort and controls attended a 2-day assessment in Christchurch as part of a larger study. Visual assessment included glasses prescription measured by focimeter, logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) distance visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity, autorefraction, retinal photographs and a questionnaire on vision-related everyday activities. Rates of reduced VA and myopia in the VLBW cohort at 27–29 were compared with the results of vision testing at 7–8 years.Results250 VLBW adults (77% those alive) gave study consent and 229 (45 with a history of ROP) were assessed in Christchurch, plus 100 term born controls. VLBW adults with ROP had reduced VA compared with no ROP and controls (mean logMAR score (SD); 0.003 (0.19), –0.021 (0.16), –0.078 (0.09), P=0.001). There were no differences in myopia (>2 D) between the groups but high myopia (>5 D) was confined to those with ROP. VLBW adults with ROP drove a car less often and had higher difficulties with everyday activities scores due to eyesight. Between 7–8 and 27–29 years rates of reduced VA were stable but myopia increased.ConclusionFormer VLBW young adults with ROP have ongoing problems with vision affecting daily living and should continue in regular ophthalmological review.Trial registration numberACTRN12612000995875, Pre-results .

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