The growth and development of infants weighing 1,000 to 2,000 grams at birth and delivered in a perinatal unit

The neonatal outcome and follow-up over the first two years of life in a group of 124 infants with birth weights between 1,000 and 2,000 grams were studied. The overall neonatal mortality rate (first month of life) was 9% with a further five infants dying in the first year. Seventy-three infants have been seen for at least 1 year and three infants show evidence of neurological damage. Catch-up growth is slower in the 1,000 to 1,500 gram infant than in the 1,501 to 2,000 gram infant, the latter achieving normal head size at 2 years. However, mean Bayley Mental Development Scores are normal in both the 1,000 to 1,500 gram and 1,501 to 2,000 gram groups at both 1 and 2 years from expected date of confinement.