Related Experiment Videos
Growth patterns of low birth weight preterm infants: a longitudinal analysis of a large, varied sample
P H Casey1, H C Kraemer, J Bernbaum
1University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
Insights
Low birth weight preterm infants show distinct growth patterns compared to term infants during their first year. These growth differences persist even when corrected for gestational age, with no catch-up growth observed.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Growth and Development
- Public Health
Background:
- Low birth weight preterm infants represent a significant population requiring careful growth monitoring.
- Established growth standards primarily focus on term infants, potentially inadequating assessment for preterm populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally track growth parameters in a large cohort of low birth weight preterm infants.
- To compare the growth trajectories of preterm infants with varying birth weights against established norms.
Main Methods:
- A collaborative program monitored 608 preterm infants across eight sites.
- Infants were categorized by birth weight (≤1250 gm, 1250-2000 gm, 2000-2500 gm) and assessed for weight, height, and head circumference.
- Measurements were taken at birth and corrected ages of 40 weeks, 4, 8, and 12 months.
Main Results:
- Growth patterns for weight, height, and head circumference were consistently below standards for term infants of similar age and sex.
- Growth trajectories varied significantly across different birth weight groups.
- No catch-up growth was observed by 12 months corrected age in any birth weight group.
Conclusions:
- Low birth weight preterm infants exhibit unique growth patterns during the first year of life.
- Current growth charts for term infants may not accurately reflect the development of preterm populations.
- Individualized growth monitoring and potentially tailored interventions are crucial for this population.
Abstract:
To obtain growth data on a large sample of low birth weight preterm infants, we monitored 608 infants longitudinally in an eight-site collaborative program. Ninety-nine infants weighed less than or equal to 1250 gm at birth, 289 between 1250 and 2000 gm, and 220 infants between 2000 and 2500 gm. Thirty-four percent were white, 52% black, and 14% Hispanic. Weight, height, and head circumference were measured at birth and at 40 weeks and 4, 8, and 12 months of gestation-corrected age on at least 553 infants each time. Descriptive statistics for all growth variables and a body mass index (kilograms per square meter), plotted by sex and birth weight group, demonstrated growth patterns lower than published standards for term infants of the same age and sex. These patterns of growth differed by birth weight group. No catch-up growth was noted by the 12-month examination (gestation-corrected age) for any birth weight group. We conclude that low birth weight preterm infants have different patterns of growth than term infants during the first year of life, even with plotting corrected for gestational age.