Cognitive and Motor Development of Children with Extremely Low Birth Weight

Abstract

In Ukraine, mortality rates among children with extremely low birth weight (ELBW) remain high. Unfortunately, there is observed a high proportion of gross structural brain damage (cystic periventricular leukomalacia, multicystic leukomalacia, intraventricular hemorrhages of the III and IV degree), accompanied by severe motor and cognitive disorders. The incidence of diseases of the nervous system in children with ELBW today also remains high: cerebral palsy — in 43 % of children, cognitive disorders — in 88.2 %, epilepsy — in 15.7 %, visual impairment — in 15.7 %, hearing loss — in 3.9 %, obstructive hydrocephalus — in 2 %. This means that almost every second child with ELBW has cerebral palsy. And cognitive failure is the dominant effect of premature birth. For the timely diagnosis of brain lesions in children with extremely low birth weight, magnetic resonance imaging should be performed at an earlier date that will help to predict the degree of neurological disorders and to plan therapeutic measures.