Functional outcomes in self-care, mobility, communication, and learning in extremely low-birth weight infants

Children born of extremely low-birth weight status have an increased risk for major and minor neurodevelopmental impairments. This article focuses on the preschool functional outcomes of extremely low-birth weight infants using the National Center of Medical Rehabilitation Research model of disablement. Motor, self-care, communicative, and developmental functional skills are emphasized. By explicitly measuring functional status, we can prioritize strategies that lessen severe multiple disabilities and simultaneously support families when functional limitations are life long.