Statistical indicators of primary and secondary disabilities in children born with very low and extremely low bodyweight

BACKGROUND: The number of premature infants in the world and Russia increases annually, becoming a medical and social problem. Despite the achievements of modern neonatology and improvement of reproductive and intensive care technologies, more than 15 million infants are born prematurely annually worldwide. Prematurity is the leading cause of approximately one million neonatal deaths annually, one of the main causes of under-five mortality, and a significant contributor to morbidity in adulthood. The development of comprehensive approaches to medical and social rehabilitation of children with disability and born with very low and extremely low birth weight requires statistical substantiation.

AIM: To examine statistical indicators of primary and secondary disabilities in children born with very low and extremely low birth weight.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed medical and expert records, medical and social examination reports, and data extracted from the Federal State’s Unified Automated Vertically Integrated Information Analytic System of medical and social examination. By continuous sampling, statistical indicators of primary disability in children aged 0–3 years, who were born with very low and extremely low bodyweight, were evaluated and compared with those of children born with normal weight. Complete rehabilitation rates from reassessments in the study group were also explored.

RESULTS: The statistical analysis demonstrated a trend toward an increase in the incidence of primary and secondary disabilities in children born with very low and extremely low bodyweight. The average complete rehabilitation rate during the study period was 0.6%, which was more than three times lower than that of preterm children (1.95%) and was reduced to a few isolated cases. Compared with adult rehabilitation, children’s rehabilitation potential and more favorable rehabilitation prognosis do not always allow elimination or compensation for existing disabilities after reaching not only the average age of equalization but also throughout early childhood.

CONCLUSION: In recent years, the rapid development of advances in neonatal medicine with the use of high-tech medical systems has led to a significant increase in the survival rate of preterm infants. The high risks of disability due to prematurity, peculiarities of major disabilities, and need for medical and social rehabilitation and habilitation in this population warrant further investigation.