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Published on: November 20, 2015
[Growth of preterm infants]
C C Xavier1, V O Abdallah, B R Silva
1Departmento de Pediatria da Faculdade de medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG.
Insights
Preterm infants born between 26-36 weeks show catch-up growth postnatally. Their growth patterns normalize, mirroring intrauterine growth curves by 40-42 weeks corrected age.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Growth and Development
Context:
- Preterm infants (26-36 weeks gestation) require monitoring for optimal growth.
- Postnatal growth trajectories often differ from intrauterine patterns.
Purpose:
- To establish growth curves for appropriate-for-gestational-age preterm infants.
- To compare postnatal growth with intrauterine growth curves.
Summary:
- 141 preterm infants were monitored weekly for weight, height, and head circumference until 42 weeks corrected postmenstrual age.
- Third-degree polynomial functions were used to model growth curves.
- Postnatal growth curves were similar to intrauterine curves at 40-42 weeks corrected age.
- A catch-up growth pattern was observed in the early postnatal period.
Impact:
- Provides normative growth data for preterm infants.
- Informs clinical management and nutritional support for premature neonates.
- Highlights the catch-up phenomenon in preterm infant development.
Abstract:
A hundred-forty-one infants born from 26 to 36 weeks, appropriate-for-gestational-age, were followed from birth until the corrected postmenstrual age of 42 weeks. Weight, height and cephalic perimeter were measured on a weekly basis. Based on the average values and percentiles of these measurements it was adjusted a third degree polynomial function. The growth curves obtained, when compared with the so-called intra-uterine growth curves, showed that during the 40th and 42nd postmenstrual weeks the averages and medians are similar. It was observed that the growth dynamics of the preterm infants showed a catch-up pattern in the immediate postnatal period.
