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Population-based study shows improved postnatal growth in preterm very-low-birthweight infants between 1995 and 2010

Noa Ofek Shlomai1, Brian Reichman, Liat Lerner-Geva

  • 1Department of Neonatology, Hadassah and Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|January 28, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Postnatal growth failure (PNGF) significantly decreased in very-low-birthweight (VLBW) preterm infants between 1995 and 2010. This improvement in growth outcomes was observed even in extremely premature infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Growth and Development
  • Perinatal Medicine

Background:

  • Postnatal growth failure (PNGF) is a significant concern for preterm very-low-birthweight (VLBW) infants.
  • Monitoring and improving growth trajectories in this vulnerable population is crucial for long-term health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate trends in postnatal growth failure (PNGF) among preterm very-low-birthweight (VLBW) infants in Israel from 1995 to 2010.
  • To assess if improvements in PNGF varied by gestational age (GA) and intrauterine growth status.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of the Israel national VLBW infant database, including 13,531 infants (24-32 weeks' GA).
  • Definition of severe and mild PNGF based on weight z-score changes from birth to discharge.
  • Statistical analysis using multinomial logistic regression to compare PNGF rates across three time periods: 1995-2000, 2001-2005, and 2006-2010.

Main Results:

  • A significant decline in severe PNGF was observed, decreasing from 11.7% in 1995-2000 to 5.2% in 2006-2010.
  • Infants born in 2006-2010 had substantially lower odds of severe PNGF (OR 0.17) and mild PNGF (OR 0.42) compared to those born in 1995-2000.
  • The reduction in PNGF was evident across different gestational ages and intrauterine growth classifications.

Conclusions:

  • There was a marked improvement in postnatal growth outcomes for preterm VLBW infants between 1995 and 2010.
  • This positive trend in reducing postnatal growth failure persisted even in the most extremely premature infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
Extrauterine growth restrictionExtrauterine growth retardationPostnatal growth failurePreterm infantsVery low birthweight

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