Follow-up assessments for high-risk infants

Follow-up Visit of High Risk Infants

Observational NICHD Neonatal Research Network · NCT00009633

This study looks at how extremely low birth-weight infants develop by checking their motor skills, thinking, language, and behavior when they are about two years old, while also comparing them to healthy babies.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment68000 (estimated)
Ages18 Months to 26 Months
SexAll
SponsorNICHD Neonatal Research Network Research network
Locations31 sites (Birmingham, Alabama and 30 other locations)
Trial IDNCT00009633 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study involves a multi-center cohort of surviving extremely low birth-weight infants who receive comprehensive neurodevelopmental, neurosensory, and functional assessments at 22-26 months corrected age. The study aims to identify maternal and neonatal risk factors that may influence neurodevelopment by evaluating motor skills, cognitive abilities, language, and behavior. It also collects data on growth, socioeconomic status, and the use of early intervention services. A reference group of healthy term infants will be assessed to minimize biases in evaluations.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are infants born at participating centers with a gestational age of less than 27 weeks.

Not a fit: Patients who are not extremely low birth-weight infants or those who do not meet the specific inclusion criteria may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of neurodevelopmental outcomes in high-risk infants, leading to improved care and interventions.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in assessing neurodevelopmental outcomes in similar high-risk populations, indicating that this approach is supported by prior research.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
* Infants inborn at NRN centers
* \<27 weeks gestational age
* Infants enrolled in one or more additional NICHD NRN Follow-up studies. For infants that do not meet the inclusion criteria above, inclusion and exclusion criteria are determined by the criteria for the additional trial(s). In these cases, infants that are larger than 1,000 grams and/or older than 27 weeks may be included in the FU Study.

Note: These inclusion criteria were changed as of 1/1/2008. Prior to this date, infants with birth weights between 401 and 1500 grams who were admitted to NRN NICUs within 14 days of birth were included in the database.

Where this trial is running

Birmingham, Alabama and 30 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Infant, NewbornInfant, Low Birth WeightInfant, Small for Gestational AgeInfant, PrematureNICHD Neonatal Research NetworkExtremely Low Birth WeightPrematurityNeurodevelopmental Outcome
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.