[Quality of clinical and neurologic monitoring in a cohort of extremely premature infants, 2002-2012]. / Calidad del seguimiento clínico y neurológico en una cohorte de recién nacidos muy prematuros, 2002-2012.

Objective To explore the clinical course of a cohort of newborns <1000 gr or <29 weeks of gestational age at birth after discharge from the Kangaroo Mother Care Program (KMC). Method Telephone surveys with parents of a cohort of 569 premature babies treated in 3 KMC programs between 2002 and 2012. Results The study contacted 65.4 % of the cohort, averaging 4 years old. 34 patients (6 %) passed away, 65 % during the first 6 months of life. 63 % were re-hospitalized, 32 % presented antecedents of intraventricular hemorrhage, 30 % had chronic lung disease, 5.2 % had cerebral palsy or mental retardation, and 2.7 % had convulsions. 72 % were monitored by a pediatrician, 65 % needed physical therapy, and 39 % needed speech therapy. 7 % repeated years in school and 9% of those over 4 years old had not begun to write. 4 % of those who could write had difficulties. 81 % of those over 6 years old had difficulties dressing themselves; 55 % did not practice sports. Discussion Extremely premature or low birth weight premature babies have a higher level of respiratory and neurological consequences that affect their quality of life and that of their family. It is important to strictly monitor their health after 12 months in order to promptly detect and manage neuro-psychomotor and sensorial development disorders.