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Postnatal growth failure in preterm infants: recovery of growth and body composition after term

Paola Roggero1, Maria Lorella Giannì, Orsola Amato

  • 1Institute of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Fondazione IRCCS "Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena," University of Milan, Italy. roggero@unimi.it

Early Human Development
|March 11, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants with growth restriction catch up in weight and fat mass by four months corrected age. This recovery occurs despite similar energy and protein intake compared to non-restricted infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Growth and Development
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Preterm infants often experience significant growth restriction at hospital discharge.
  • This restricted growth increases the risk of long-term growth failure.
  • Understanding recovery patterns is crucial for optimizing infant care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the growth trajectories and body composition changes after term.
  • To investigate differences between preterm infants with and without growth retardation at term.

Main Methods:

  • An observational longitudinal study design was employed.
  • Participants included 35 growth-retarded preterm infants and 26 non-growth-retarded preterm infants.
  • Growth and body composition were assessed at term and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 months of corrected age.

Main Results:

  • Growth-retarded infants had lower body weight and fat mass at term and up to 3 months corrected age.
  • Energy and protein intake did not significantly differ between groups.
  • Catch-up growth in weight and fat mass occurred between 4 and 5 months corrected age, making outcomes comparable.

Conclusions:

  • Growth-retarded preterm infants demonstrate catch-up growth.
  • Recovery of growth parameters and body composition is achieved by the fourth month of corrected age.
  • This suggests a potential for full recovery from early postnatal growth failure.
Abstract

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