complications

Last reviewed 01/2018

Today, of the 80% of low birth weight infants that survive, roughly 7% are handicapped, with the following abnormalities seen:

• cerebral palsy
• sensory neural hearing loss
• IQ of less than 70 (intelligence is rarely purely reduced)
• delayed visual maturation, with retinopathy of the newborn
• multiple minor disorders

Less obvious complications include psychosocial morbidity, including maltreatment and failure to bond.