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Catch up growth in preterm infants.
M Altigani1, J F Murphy, R G Newcombe
1Department of Child Health, University of Wales College of Medicine.
Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica. Supplement
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Preterm infants show significant catch-up growth in weight, length, and head circumference during the first 24 weeks of life. This postnatal growth trajectory differs from intrauterine growth patterns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Growth and Development
- Perinatology
Background:
- Premature infants exhibit distinct growth patterns compared to full-term infants.
- Understanding postnatal growth is crucial for optimizing outcomes in preterm neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish growth curves for preterm infants from birth to 24 weeks of postnatal age.
- To compare the growth trajectories of preterm infants with intrauterine growth charts.
- To identify periods of catch-up growth in preterm neonates.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal follow-up of 71 preterm infants from birth to 24 weeks.
- Regular measurements of weight, length, and head circumference.
- Superimposition of growth data onto established intrauterine and extrauterine growth charts.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants' growth curves did not exhibit the terminal flattening seen in intrauterine curves.
- Weight, length, and head circumference curves crossed the 50th centile around 40 weeks postconceptional age.
- The first 24 weeks were characterized by catch-up growth, with maximum head velocity in the first 8 weeks.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants demonstrate significant catch-up growth postnatally, reaching higher centiles by 60 weeks postconceptional age.
- The postnatal growth phase is critical for preterm infants to compensate for restricted intrauterine growth.
- These findings provide valuable data for monitoring and supporting the growth of preterm populations.