Comparing two motor assessment tools to evaluate neurobehavioral intervention effects in infants with very low birth weight at 1 year.

Background: Infants with very low birth weight (VLBW) are at increased risk for motor deficits, which may be reduced by early intervention programs. For detection of motor deficits and to monitor intervention, different assessment tools are available. It is important to choose tools that are sensitive to evaluate the efficacy of intervention on motor outcome.

Prediction of cognitive abilities at the age of 5 years using developmental follow-up assessments at the age of 2 and 3 years in very preterm children.

Aim: This study investigated prediction of separate cognitive abilities at the age of 5 years by cognitive development at the ages of both 2 and 3 years, and the agreement between these measurements, in very preterm children.

Methods: Preterm children (n=102; 44 males; 58 females) with a gestational age less than 30 weeks and/or birthweight less than 1000g were assessed at the ages of 2 and 3 years using the second edition of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, the Child Behaviour Checklist, and a neurological examination, and at the age of 5 years using the third edition of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence.

Results: Cognitive development at ages 2 and 3 years explained 44% and 57% respectively of full-scale intelligence at the age of 5 years.

Neurodevelopmental outcome of post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation at 12 and 24 months corrected age with high-threshold therapy.

Background: The management of post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus remains a discussion. We describe the neurodevelopmental outcome at the corrected age of 12 and 24 months of infants with PHVD treated with high-threshold therapy.

Objective: To describe, and compare the neurodevelopmental outcome of a cohort of premature infants with grade III or IV intraventricular hemorrhage with or without development of PHVD.

Improvement of developmental outcome between 24 and 36 months corrected age in very preterm infants.

Aim:  To study early developmental course in preschool-aged very preterm infants and its association with perinatal risk factors and test-taking behaviour.

Methods:   Children born <30 weeks gestation and/or <1000g in the Academic Medical Center of Amsterdam were assessed at 24 and 36 months corrected age with the Dutch Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II (BSID-II-NL) and neurological examination. Linear regression analyses for developmental change were performed with perinatal risk factors.

The Infant Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Program for very low birth weight infants at 6 months corrected age.

Objective: To determine whether the Infant Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Program (IBAIP), designed to support and enhance infants' self-regulatory competence, improved developmental and neurobehavioral outcomes in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

Study Design: We randomized 86 infants to 1 intervention before discharge and to 6 to 8 home interventions until 6 months corrected age, and 90 control infants received standard care. Developmental and behavioral outcomes were evaluated at 6 months corrected age with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II (BSID-II).

A randomised controlled trial comparing two temporising management strategies, one with and one without plasma volume expansion, for severe and early onset pre-eclampsia.

Objectives: Plasma volume expansion may benefit both mother and child in the temporising management of severe and early onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Design: Randomised clinical trial. Setting Two university hospitals in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Genetic influences in respiratory distress syndrome: a twin study.

This is a twin study of the contribution of genetic influences on the pathogenesis of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Retrospectively, the files of twins born between 1976 and 1995 in the Academic Medical Centre (before Wilhelmina Gasthuis) of the University of Amsterdam were studied with a gestational age of 30 to 34 weeks and 1 or both with RDS. Data were collected on gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, or diabetes in the mother as risk factors.

Neurodevelopmental outcome of children treated with antenatal thyrotropin-releasing hormone.

Objective: To evaluate neurodevelopmental outcome until 2 years of age in children who participated in a multicenter antenatal thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) trial to improve respiratory outcome and to lower mortality.

Methods: Neurodevelopmental outcome was studied in infants whose mothers were admitted to the Academic Medical Center and enrolled in the European Antenatal TRH trial. Mothers were treated for imminent preterm delivery (before 30 weeks) with corticosteroids plus either placebo (placebo-group) or TRH (TRH-group).