The Echographic Characteristics of Structural and Functional Development of Organs and Systems in Children Born with Low Birth Weight, Very Low Birth Weight and Extremely Low Birth Weight

Over the past decade, an increase in the survival rate of children born with low birth weight, very low birth weight, and extremely low birth weight has been observed in Russian Federation, which is due to transition to new live birth criteria. Premature infants are exposed to a number of adverse factors that have a negative impact on the development of organs and systems, which, in turn, can lead to the occurrence of acute and chronic diseases in various age periods. Therefore, neonatologists and pediatricians are dealing with a new cohort of small children who have particular features of physical and neuropsychological development which may lead to severe debilitating diseases. This review article surveys previous studies evaluating the echographic characteristics of structural and functional development of the urinary, cardiovascular and endocrine systems as a function of body weight at birth and gestational age, and in different age periods.