Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis
06:19

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis

Published on: January 7, 2018

Outcomes of small for gestational age infants born at <27 weeks' gestation

Lilia C De Jesus1, Athina Pappas, Seetha Shankaran

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|February 19, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Small for gestational age (SGA) infants born extremely preterm face higher risks of death, growth problems, and neurodevelopmental issues. These findings highlight the critical need for close monitoring and intervention for these vulnerable infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Perinatal Medicine
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Infants born small for gestational age (SGA) at extremely preterm gestations (<27 weeks) represent a vulnerable population.
  • Understanding the long-term outcomes of SGA infants is crucial for optimizing their care.
  • Previous studies have varied in their focus and follow-up durations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between SGA status and adverse outcomes in infants born before 27 weeks gestational age.
  • To assess risks for mortality, morbidity, growth, and neurodevelopmental impairment at 18-22 months corrected age.
  • To compare outcomes between SGA and non-SGA infants in this extremely preterm cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study utilizing data from the NICHD Neonatal Research Network.
  • Inclusion of infants born <27 weeks gestational age between January 2006 and July 2008.
  • Definition of SGA based on birth weight <10th percentile for gestational age (Olsen curves); neurodevelopmental impairment defined by composite criteria.

Main Results:

  • The study included 385 SGA infants and 2586 non-SGA infants.
  • SGA infants exhibited higher mortality rates and increased likelihood of postnatal growth failure, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and postnatal steroid use.
  • SGA status was significantly associated with an increased risk of death or neurodevelopmental impairment (OR, 3.91; P < .001).

Conclusions:

  • Small for gestational age status in extremely preterm infants (<27 weeks GA) is linked to adverse outcomes.
  • These outcomes include increased mortality, growth failure, and neurodevelopmental impairment at 18-22 months corrected age.
  • SGA infants also showed a higher likelihood of requiring postnatal steroid therapy.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Guidelines for Writing Outcome01:11

Guidelines for Writing Outcome

When developing expected outcomes for a patient care plan, the nurse should adhere to the following recommendations:
Patient outcomes reflect the patient's response to the goal rather than what the nurse aims to achieve. Terminology should be observable and measurable to avoid the reader's interpretation. The desired outcome should be realistic and achievable in the designated care timeframe. Expected outcomes should align with adjunctive therapies. The outcome should enhance care evaluation by...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology01:10

Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology

Atelectasis develops when alveoli lose their air and collapse inward. Because lung tissue is naturally elastic, these air sacs shrink rather than remaining open. Collapsed alveoli are no longer ventilated, reducing their role in gas exchange. Blood flow may continue in these regions, creating a ventilation–perfusion mismatch. Clinical findings include decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, reduced chest expansion, and decreased tactile fremitus as sound transmission through collapsed...