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Predictors of growth velocity in early infancy in a resource-poor setting

Bolajoko O Olusanya1, James K Renner

  • 1Maternal and Child Health Unit, Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria. boolusanya@aol.com

Early Human Development
|May 31, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Maternal factors predict early infant growth, with preterm infants needing timely intervention to prevent long-term health issues. This study analyzed infant growth velocity in Nigeria.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Early infant growth is crucial for long-term health outcomes.
  • Resource-poor settings present unique challenges to monitoring infant growth.
  • Understanding growth velocity predictors is essential for timely interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the pattern and predictors of infant growth velocity in a resource-poor setting.
  • To identify maternal and infant factors influencing early growth.
  • To compare different mathematical models for assessing growth velocity.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of preterm and full-term infants in Lagos, Nigeria was studied.
  • Weight velocity was calculated using three established mathematical methods.
  • Multiple linear regression identified predictive factors for weight velocity.

Main Results:

  • Maternal age, HIV status, and antenatal care were linked to lower growth velocity.
  • Male infants, low birthweight, and fetal growth restriction showed higher growth velocity.
  • Higher growth velocity correlated with lower birthweight (catch-up growth) and higher gestational age.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal factors significantly influence early infant growth trajectories.
  • Preterm infants require prompt interventions to mitigate risks of suboptimal growth and developmental consequences.
Abstract

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