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Growth and endocrine function during school age in very low-birth weight infants

T Takeuchi1, D Tanaka, N Saikawa

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan. ttake@med.showa-u.ac.jp

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|April 4, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Very low-birth weight (VLBW) infants often experience short stature. Despite normal growth hormone and IGF-I levels, their long-term growth remains suboptimal.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Neonatology

Background:

  • Short stature and low bodyweight are common in premature infants.
  • The pathophysiology underlying these growth issues remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the growth and endocrine function in very low-birth weight (VLBW) infants.
  • To understand the long-term growth outcomes and potential contributing factors.

Main Methods:

  • Growth and endocrine function were assessed in 23 VLBW infants aged 11.3–14.3 years.
  • Measurements included height, weight, serum IGF-I, urine GH, and bone age.
  • Predicted adult height was calculated using bone age.

Main Results:

  • VLBW infants had mean height and weight scores of -0.50 SD.
  • Serum IGF-I and urine GH levels were within normal ranges.
  • Predicted adult height was -0.52 SD, indicating suboptimal growth despite normal endocrine markers.

Conclusions:

  • VLBW infants exhibit reduced physical growth and predicted adult height compared to normal birth weight children.
  • Normal serum IGF-I, urine GH, and bone age do not fully explain the persistent growth deficit.
  • Further research is needed to identify the underlying pathophysiology of impaired growth in VLBW infants.
Abstract

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