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[A longitudinal study on growth model and velocity of term small for gestation age]
Insights
Term small for gestational age (TSGA) children exhibit a distinct growth pattern. Monitoring their growth velocity, especially in the first year, is crucial for timely intervention and ensuring healthy development on their individual trajectory.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Growth and Development
- Neonatology
Context:
- Small for gestational age (SGA) infants are at risk for altered growth trajectories.
- Understanding the specific growth patterns of term SGA (TSGA) infants is essential for appropriate clinical management.
- Longitudinal growth data is critical for characterizing developmental differences.
Purpose:
- To investigate the growth patterns and identify critical periods for promoting normal growth in term small for gestational age (TSGA) infants.
- To compare the growth models and velocities of TSGA children with a control group.
- To establish the optimal monitoring strategy for TSGA children's development.
Summary:
- A longitudinal study tracked 150 TSGA children and 152 controls from 1 to 36 months, measuring weight and length.
- Multilevel models revealed distinct growth models between TSGA and control groups, with controls showing greater size at 8.5 months.
- TSGA children demonstrated similar growth velocities to controls, peaking in the first six months, with a specific order of velocity (1 mo. > 2 mo. > 3 mo.).
Impact:
- Identifies that TSGA children possess a unique growth trajectory requiring individualized monitoring.
- Highlights the importance of attentive monitoring of growth velocity in TSGA infants.
- Emphasizes the need for early identification of growth deviations and prompt, appropriate interventions to support healthy development along their 'own track'.
Abstract:
To probe into the vegetal pattern and find out the key period of promoting normal growth of term small for gestational age (TSGA), a longitudinal study on growth model and velocity of TSGA was conducted from Jan 1993 to June 1997. The body weight and length of 150 children of TSGA (57 boys, 93 girls) and 152 children as controls (58 boys, 94 girls) were measured from the 1st month to 36th month. The growth model was analysed by multilevel models. The result showed that there was a difference between the growth models of TSGA and controls. During 8 and a half months (center month), the weight, length of controls were 1.19 kg, 3.46 cm greater than those of TSGA; the weight, length of boys were 0.34 kg, 1.08 cm more than those of girls respectively. The growth velocity of TSGA was similar to that of controls. The maximal growth velocity was observed during the first 6 monthes after birth. The order of growth velocity from high to low was 1 mo. > 2 mo. > 3 mo. in length and weight, showing that children of TSGA have their own growth model. Their growth velocity should be monitored attentively. If low velocity appears one should search for the cause and adopt apropriate measures to ensure their growth in accordance with their "own track".