Gynecology/Obstetrics and Neonatal

Low Birth Weight

March 2003

Clinical Focus*

For infants with birth weight <1,200 grams and for infants with birth weights between 1,200 grams and 1,500 grams:

• What factors or combination of factors alone or in addition to birth weight will predict significant developmental impairment in former premature infants?
• Are such infants developmentally impaired at 1 year, 2 years, or beyond?

Is there evidence of an association between very low birth weight infants and the following six outcome conditions?

• CP and neurological impairments.
• Abnormal cognitive development and mental retardation.
• Speech/language delay, hearing loss, behavioral disorders, and learning disabilities.
• Visual impairment (with or without other conditions).
• Pulmonary impairment (with or without other conditions).
• Growth impairment.

*Addressed in the summary or evidence report.

Criteria for Determining Disability in Infants and Children: Low Birth Weight
Summary (Publication No. 03-E008, March 2003)
Evidence Report (Publication No. 03-E010, March 2003)
(PDF Files; File Download)

EPC: Tufts-New England Medical Center
Topic Nominator: Social Security Administration

Return to Quick Menu: Evidence Report Topics
Return to Evidence-based Practice