Neurodevelopmental Outcome of Very Low Birth Weight Infants in the Northern District of Israel: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Currently, no local database in Israel collects neurodevelopmental outcomes of very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants. We investigated neurodevelopmental outcomes in one district of the largest healthcare organization in Israel. Methods: A cross-sectional study including all VLBW (n = 109), 20.2% had CP, 22.0% had GDD, and 44.9% had language delay. We found a statistically significant higher rate of abnormal neurodevelopment outcomes in non-Jews compared to Jews (57% vs. 37.8%, respectively, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: We found a relatively high overall rate of CP in our local population and a significant difference in neurodevelopmental outcomes between Jews and non-Jews. This study emphasizes the need for an expanded and detailed national database collecting post-discharge outcomes, as well as an assessment of national healthcare resource allocation and inequalities in preterm infants’ post-discharge care.

Keywords

• neurodevelopmental outcome
• VLBW
• preterm
• cerebral palsy