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Cognitive Development in VLBW Infants

Infants with Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) face a variety of challenges. Many risk factors have been identified for this condition. However, early intervention can counteract some of the difficulties these children may face.

  1. Definition of VLBW

    • Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) is a term used to describe infants who are less than 1500g (about 3 lbs. 5 oz.) at birth. A related term, Extremely Low Birth Weight (ELBW), is used to describe infants who are less than 1000g (about 2 lbs. 3 oz.) at birth.

    Risk Factors for VLBW

    • The greatest causative factors for VLBW are premature birth and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Other risk factors include: the age of the mother (teen mothers are more likely to give birth to VLBW infants); race (African-American babies are twice as likely to have VLBW); maternal health (women who are exposed to alcohol, drugs and cigarettes are more likely to have infants with VLBW); and multiple births (more than 50 percent of twins and other multiple births have VLBW).

    Potential Developmental Problems

    • Infants with VLBW are at increased risk for cerebral palsy, developmental delays and mental retardation. They are also potentially at risk for visual impairments (including blindness) and hearing impairments.

    Cognitive Delays

    • At least one study has shown that children with VLBW score significantly lower on the Performance IQ, Verbal IQ, Full-Scale IQ, Verbal Comprehension Index Score, Perceptional Organizational Index Score and Freedom from Distractibility Index Score components of intelligence tests than do children of healthy birth weight. These scores are directly correlated with school performance. Children who score low tend to perform more poorly in school.

    Can These Delays/Difficulties Be Overcome?

    • While conditions like birth defects, cerebral palsy and mental retardation cannot be reversed, their effects can be lessened through early intervention. Any child with VLBW should be referred as soon as possible after birth to the local early intervention agency. Physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and preschool programs may be available to help provide the most developmental support for the child. Early intervention and education are critical to the developmental well-being of children with VLBW.

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