How should we report early childhood outcomes of very low birth weight infants?

Reports of outcomes for very low birth weight infants have evolved from an early focus on survival and neonatal morbidities to the comprehensive analysis and evaluation of the relationships between neonatal interventions and morbidity and neurodevelopmental status in early childhood. Post discharge findings are frequently the primary outcome for antenatal and neonatal intervention trials, and the 97 approved neonatal fellowship training programs in the United States require participation in a follow-up program. Very low birth weight survivors remain at increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairments, vision and hearing impairment, growth failure, behavior morbidities and chronic health problems. Identification of the most appropriate outcome assessment for the study objective, and the ideal timing of the assessment remains a challenge for investigators.