Outcomes at school-age of children born extremely preterm or extremely low birth weight in Victoria, Australia: protocol for the 8-9 years follow-up of the prospective, longitudinal Victorian Infant Collaborative Study (VICS) 2016-2017 cohort.

Abstract

Children born extremely preterm (EP; <28 weeks' gestation) and/or extremely low birth weight (ELBW; <1000 g) are at increased risk of difficulties across a range of neurodevelopmental domains and respiratory outcomes long term. The Victorian Infant Collaborative Study (VICS) in Australia has tracked detailed perinatal and developmental outcomes across four distinct EP/ELBW birth cohorts: 1991-1992, 1997, 2005 and 2016-2017. Improvements in 2-year developmental outcomes were reported in the VICS 2016-2017 cohort compared with previous eras; however, whether these improvements are sustained to school-age is not known. The aim of the follow-up study is to assess neurodevelopmental and respiratory outcomes at school-age in the VICS 2016-2017 cohort and examine the effect of EP/ELBW birth on school-age functioning across the VICS epochs. This is a follow-up of the VICS 2016-2017 cohort, a prospective longitudinal cohort study of children born EP/ELBW and a contemporaneous group of term-born controls born in the state of Victoria, Australia. Children were previously assessed at 2 years' corrected age.Follow-up at 8-9 years' corrected age includes a comprehensive assessment of cognitive, motor, social and behavioural development and lung function.Follow-up at 8-9 years' corrected age includes a comprehensive assessment of cognitive, motor, social and behavioural development and lung function. The study has approval from the Royal Children's Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee, Melbourne, Australia. The findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journal publications, conference presentations, digital and print media and through parent support/network groups.