Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Outcome of low birthweight in China: a 16-year longitudinal study

Yongmei Peng1, Bin Huang, Frank Biro

  • 1Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital, Fudan University, 183 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200 032, China. ympeng99@yahoo.com.cn

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|September 29, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Low-birthweight (LBW) adolescents in China, especially those small for gestational age (SGA), show deficits in physical growth and cognitive development compared to normal-birthweight peers. These findings highlight the need for targeted support for LBW individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Low-birthweight (LBW) is a significant global health concern.
  • Understanding the long-term outcomes of LBW infants is crucial for developing effective interventions.
  • This study investigates the growth and neurodevelopmental trajectories of LBW infants in China.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the physical growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of low-birthweight (LBW) infants with normal-birthweight (control) infants born and raised in China.
  • To identify specific challenges faced by LBW adolescents in terms of cognitive capacity and scholastic achievement.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study involving 203 LBW infants (1200-2499 g) and 71 control infants (> or =2500 g) born in Shanghai in 1983.
  • LBW infants were further categorized into small for gestational age (SGA) and preterm groups.
  • Longitudinal assessments included weight, height, head circumference, Gesell developmental quotient (DQ), Wechsler intelligence quotient (IQ), and scholastic achievement scores up to 16 years of age.

Main Results:

  • LBW infants, particularly those who were SGA, demonstrated significantly lower weight, height, and head circumference compared to control subjects throughout 16 years of follow-up.
  • Deficits in developmental quotient (DQ) were observed through 3 years, and lower intelligence quotient (IQ) and scholastic achievement scores were noted at 5 and 16 years for LBW individuals.
  • While preterm infants showed some catch-up growth and cognitive function compared to SGA infants, both LBW groups lagged behind controls.

Conclusions:

  • Adolescents in China born with low birthweight (1200-2499 g), especially those who are SGA, experience persistent deficits in physical growth, cognitive abilities, and academic achievement.
  • These findings underscore the long-term impact of LBW and suggest a critical need for ongoing evaluation and support services for this population in China.
  • Interventions aimed at improving outcomes for LBW individuals are essential to mitigate long-term health and educational disparities.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Longitudinal Research02:20

Longitudinal Research

Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
Longitudinal Studies01:26

Longitudinal Studies

Longitudinal studies are also widely used in other medical and social science fields. For instance, in cardiovascular research, they can monitor patients' health over decades to identify risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or smoking, and evaluate the long-term effectiveness of preventive measures. Similarly, in mental health studies, researchers might follow individuals from adolescence into adulthood to understand the development and progression of conditions like...