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Neurodevelopmental outcome at 8 months and 4 years among infants born full-term small-for-gestational-age
Laura L Jelliffe-Pawlowski1, Robin L Hansen
1Department of Human and Community Development, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.
Insights
Infants born small-for-gestational-age (SGAT) face higher risks for neurodevelopmental issues at 8 months and 4 years. Growth patterns at birth did not significantly alter these long-term outcomes for SGAT infants.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Medicine
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Intrauterine growth restriction is a significant concern in perinatal medicine.
- Small-for-gestational-age (SGAT) infants may experience altered neurodevelopmental trajectories.
- Understanding the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes for SGAT infants is crucial for early intervention and public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between intrauterine growth restriction and neurodevelopmental outcomes in full-term small-for-gestational-age (SGAT) infants.
- To assess neurodevelopmental status at 8 months and 4 years of age.
- To explore if growth patterns at birth influence neurodevelopmental outcomes within the SGAT population.
Main Methods:
- A large cohort study comparing 3922 SGAT infants with 29,369 appropriately grown-for-gestational-age term infants from similar socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Neurodevelopmental function was assessed using standardized tests at 8 months and 4 years.
- Subgroup analyses were conducted for SGAT infants with symmetric versus asymmetric growth restriction at birth.
Main Results:
- Infants born SGAT demonstrated a significantly increased risk for neurodevelopmental difficulties at both 8 months and 4 years of age, irrespective of socioeconomic status.
- Specific patterns of growth restriction at birth (symmetric vs. asymmetric) showed minimal impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes within the SGAT group.
- The findings highlight a consistent association between SGAT birth and poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Birth as small-for-gestational-age (SGAT) has a significant impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- These findings underscore the individual and public health importance of addressing SGAT births.
- Early identification and support for SGAT infants are warranted to mitigate potential long-term challenges.
Objectives:
To examine the association between intrauterine growth restriction and neurodevelopmental outcome among full-term small-for-gestational-age (SGAT) infants at 8 months and 4 years of age.
Study Design:
Growth parameters at birth and test scores on measures of neurodevelopmental function for 3922 children born SGAT were compared with those of 29,369 children born appropriately grown-for-gestational-age term from similar economic backgrounds. Additional within-SGAT/economic group comparisons were made for 1684 SGAT infants with symmetric undergrowth at birth and 2034 SGAT infants with asymmetric undergrowth at birth.
Results:
Regardless of socioeconomic background, infants born SGAT were found to be at significantly increased risk for neurodevelopmental difficulties at 8 months and at 4 years of age. Few within SGAT/socioeconomic group differences in neurodevelopmental outcome appeared to be associated with specific pattern of growth restriction at birth.
Conclusions:
The present findings provide further evidence of the individual and public health impact of SGAT birth.
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