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[Factors related to the normalization of weight of premature infants]
J Figueras Aloy1, J Molina González, A Vaca Castro
1Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Clínico y Facultad de Medicina de Barcelona.
Insights
Preterm infants who normalize weight early experience better health outcomes. Delayed weight normalization in premature babies is linked to increased neurological issues.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Growth and Development
Context:
- Studied 136 newborns from 1980-1988 to identify factors influencing weight normalization in preterm infants.
- Classified infants into groups based on weight normalization timing: no normalization, late normalization (>40 weeks postconceptional age), and early normalization (<40 weeks postconceptional age).
Purpose:
- To evaluate key factors associated with achieving normal weight in preterm infants.
- To analyze the relationship between weight normalization patterns and infant health outcomes.
Summary:
- 96 out of 136 (70.6%) preterm infants achieved normal weight, with 104 (78.8%) achieving normal length and 111 (86.7%) normal head circumference.
- Infants weighing under 1,500g normalized weight later (31 months) than heavier preterm infants (18.5 months, p=0.010).
- Early weight normalization correlated with lower morbidity, larger birth size, and earlier caloric intake, while delayed or absent normalization was associated with higher morbidity and neurological sequelae.
Impact:
- Identifies critical growth parameters and timing for preterm infant development.
- Highlights the link between early weight normalization and reduced neurological complications.
- Provides insights for clinical management and intervention strategies for preterm neonates.
Abstract:
A total of 136 newborns, visited during the period 1980-88, have been studied to evaluate the main factors related to the normalization of weight in preterm babies. They were classified in those who did not achieve a normal weight, those whose normalization was long-lasting (after 40 weeks of postconceptional age), and those with early normalization (before 40 weeks of postconceptional age). Mean-time of the follow-up was 25.7 months, and 96 children achieved a normal weight (70.6%), 104 a normal length (78.8%), and 111 a normal head circumference (86.7%). Preterm babies with a weight under 1,500 g normalize their weight later than those with a greater weight (31 vs 18.5 months p = 0.010). Preterm newborns with early weight normalization had lower morbidity, greater body size at birth and earlier caloric intake. The opposite situation happened in the other two groups. Those without a normalization in the weight have a greater frequency of neurologic sequelae.