LATE ADOLESCENT/YOUNG ADULT OUTCOME OF VERY LOW BIRTHWEIGHT

本研究的主要目的是扩大1977年和1978年出生的极低出生体重儿的随访范围，以考察极低出生体重儿及其后遗症对生长成就、健康、心理社会发展、个人功能和父母家庭关系的影响。我们计划测量生长和血压，并对大约24名极低出生体重和350名正常出生体重的对照组进行问卷调查。该研究队列将每年跟踪观察3年。假设是，与正常出生体重控制和VLBW兄弟姐妹队列相比，VLBW受试者在年轻成年时：1)将表现出生长追赶，但身体质量指数将显著下降；2)健康方面将表现出显著差异，包括更多的呼吸道症状，较低的平均血压和较差的体力活动；3)对成年早期的适应能力明显较差，表现为成就较差，学业/职业抱负较低；心理社会发展较差；个人功能较差；药物滥用、ADHD和犯罪的报告较高，以及人际关系较差。1977年的队列安排进展顺利，已有137名受试者登记(面谈)。

The major objective of this study is to extend the follow-up of very low birthweight children born in the years 1977 and 1978 to examine the impact of very low birthweights and its sequelae on growth attainment, health, psychosocial development and individual functioning and parent family relationships. We plan to measure growth and blood pressure and administer questionnaires to approximately 24 very low birthweights and 350 normal birthweight controls. The study cohort will be followed yearly for 3 years. The hypotheses are that at young adulthood, when compared to the normal birthweight controls and cohort of VLBW siblings, VLBW subjects: 1) will demonstrate catch-up in growth but will have a significantly decreased body mass index; 2) will manifest significant differences in health including more respiratory symptoms, lower mean blood pressure and poorer participation in physical activities; 3) will demonstrate significantly poorer adaptation to early adulthood, signified by less achievement and lower academic/career aspirations; poorer psychosocial developments; poorer individual functioning; higher reports of substance abuse, ADHD and delinquency, and poorer interpersonal relationships. Scheduling of the 1977 cohort has gone well and 137 subjects have been enrolled (interviewed).