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Equations describing percentiles for birth weight, head circumference, and length of preterm infants

W R Riddle1, S C DonLevy, B J Lafleur

  • 1Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-2675, USA. bill.riddle@vanderbilt.edu

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|August 4, 2006
PubMed

Insights

This study developed a growth chart for preterm infants born before 29 weeks gestation. Mathematical models accurately describe infant growth, aiding in the assessment of premature babies.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Growth and Development

Background:

  • Assessing growth in extremely preterm infants is crucial for monitoring development.
  • Existing growth charts may not adequately represent the growth patterns of infants born at very early gestations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the growth trajectory of prematurely born infants.
  • To create a specialized growth chart for infants born before 29 weeks of gestation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a longitudinal database of 7,425 preterm infants (1985-1997).
  • Collected data on birth weight, head circumference, and length.
  • Determined multiple percentiles (3rd-97th) for mathematical modeling.

Main Results:

  • Developed mathematical models: exponential for birth weight, linear for head circumference and length.
  • Generated a preterm growth chart including 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles.
  • The chart covers birth weight, weight growth, head circumference, and length.

Conclusions:

  • Mathematical models provide smooth and accurate percentile representations across gestational ages.
  • The developed growth chart is suitable for assessing growth in extremely preterm infants.
Abstract

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