[Extremely Low Birthweight Infants in Iceland. Health and development.].

Objective: Survival of extremely low birthweight infants (BW<1000g) in Iceland has increased in recent years, especially since the availability of surfactant therapy for Respiratory Distress Syndrome of Prematurity. This study was part of a geographically defined national study on survival, health, development and longterm outcome of extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants in Iceland focusing on health, development and disabilities with reference to a control group.

Material And Methods: Information from the National Birth Registry on births in Iceland of ELBW infants weighing 500-999g was collected in two periods 1982-90 and 1991-95, before and after surfactant therapy became available.

[Extremely low birthweight infants in iceland. Survival and disability.].

Objective: In recent years advances in medical care and technology have increased newborn survival rate, both fullterm and preterm. This is reflected in a low Perinatal Mortality Rate in Iceland. Survival of extremely low birthweight infants (ELBW with BW<1000g) has also increased, especially since the availability of surfactant therapy for Respiratory Distress Syndrome of Prematurity.

[Extremely Low Birthweight Infants in Iceland. Neurodevelopmental profile at five years of age.].

Objective: This study was part of a geographically defined national study on survival, health, development, and longterm outcome of extremely low birthweight infants (ELBW; birthweight < 1000g) in Iceland focusing on development and neurodevelopmental measures in comparison to a reference group.

Methods: All 35 ELBW longtime survivors born in 1991-95 and 55 children as matched reference group were enrolled in a prospective study on longterm health and development. The children underwent medical examinations and neurodevelopmental testing at five years of age in 1996-2001, and their parents answered a questionnaire on their behavior.