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Updated: Sep 20, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Outcome in preterm small for gestational age infants compared to appropriate for gestational age preterms at the age
Ludwig Gortner1, Michael van Husen, Ute Thyen
1Department of Neonatology, Pediatric Center, Justus Liebig University, Feulgenstr. 12, Giessen D-35383, Germany. ludwig.gortner@paediat.med.uno-giessen.de
Insights
Preterm infants born small for gestational age (SGA) showed no significant neurodevelopmental differences by 22 months corrected age compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. However, SGA infants did not exhibit catch-up growth.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Perinatal Medicine
Background:
- Infants born small for gestational age (SGA) may face altered growth and developmental trajectories.
- Preterm birth complicates the assessment of SGA infants' long-term outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants born SGA versus appropriate for gestational age (AGA) at 22 months corrected age.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study compared 74 preterm SGA infants with 74 preterm AGA infants, matched for gestational age.
- Growth parameters and neurodevelopment (Griffiths scores) were assessed at 22 months corrected age.
Main Results:
- SGA infants had significantly lower birth weights but similar gestational ages and Apgar scores compared to AGA infants.
- No significant differences in mean Griffiths developmental scores or rates of developmental retardation were found between SGA and AGA groups.
- SGA infants were significantly smaller in body weight, head circumference, and height at 22 months corrected age, indicating a lack of catch-up growth.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants born SGA do not exhibit significant neurodevelopmental deficits by 22 months corrected age compared to AGA peers.
- SGA preterm infants do not achieve catch-up growth by 22 months corrected age.
Objectives:
To investigate the effects of small for gestational age (SGA) in preterm infants on growth and development until the age of 22 months.
Study Design:
Seventy-four preterm infants being born SGA (birth weight <10th percentile) were compared with 74 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants matched prospectively according to gestational age with respect to growth parameters and neurodevelopment (using Griffiths developmental scores) at the age of 22 months corrected age.
Results:
Birth weight was significantly lower in SGA-infants compared to AGA-infants (1503 g (430-2205 g) versus 1995 g (680-3300 g); P<0.0001 (median and range)). There were no significant differences regarding the median gestational age (34 weeks), gender distribution, mode of delivery, umbilical artery pH, and APGAR-scores. Mean Griffiths-scores did not differ significantly between both groups (96.7% versus 97.6%). Developmental retardation was diagnosed in 9 SGA-infants versus 10 AGA-infants. Within the total group a positive correlation was observed between gestational age and developmental scoring. Body weight, head circumference, and height were significantly lower in SGA-infants at 22 months corrected age.
Conclusion:
No significant differences regarding neurodevelopmental outcome at 22 months were observed between SGA- and AGA-infants. SGA-infants did not show catch-up growth.
