Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 23, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Evaluation of growth and development pattern in normal, low and very low birth weight neonates at 18 months of age
Zahra Abdeyazdan1, Soheila Ehsanpour2, Elahe Hemmati3
1Department of Pediatrics, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran.
Insights
This study compared the 18-month growth and development of normal birth weight (NBW), low birth weight (LBW), and very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates in Iran. LBW and VLBW children showed significant differences in growth and motor development compared to NBW neonates.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Monitoring child growth and development is crucial for assessing overall health.
- Increased survival rates of very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates due to NICU advancements necessitate studies on their long-term outcomes.
- Limited research exists on the growth and developmental trajectories of low birth weight (LBW) and VLBW neonates in Iran.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the growth and development at 18 months of age among neonates with normal birth weight (NBW), LBW, and VLBW.
- To identify potential disparities in anthropometric measures and developmental milestones based on birth weight categories.
- To provide data for understanding the developmental needs of LBW and VLBW populations in Iran.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional descriptive study involving 214 children at 18 months of age (90 LBW, 90 NBW, and 34 VLBW).
- Data collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire including anthropometric measurements and key developmental milestones.
- Statistical analysis performed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential tests (ANOVA) via SPSS version 15.
Main Results:
- Significant differences were observed in mean anthropometric indices across the three birth weight groups.
- The majority of participants in all groups exhibited a normal weight growth trend.
- Mean scores for gross and fine motor development were significantly associated with birth weight, while social/cognitive and language development showed no significant association.
Conclusions:
- LBW and VLBW children at 18 months of age demonstrate growth index differences compared to NBW neonates.
- Further nationwide prospective studies with extended follow-up periods are recommended to determine when Iranian LBW children achieve parity with NBW children.
- The findings highlight the need for continued monitoring and potential interventions for LBW and VLBW populations.
Introduction:
Growth and development monitoring could lead to general judgment about children's health. With advances in NICUs establishment, the survival rate of very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates has increased in many countries including Iran. Because of the lack of studies about growth and development pattern of low birth weight (LBW) and VLBW neonates in Iran, the present study aimed to compare growth and development of normal, low and very low birth weight neonates at 18 months of age.
Materials And Methods:
In a cross- sectional descriptive study, 214 children with age 18 months were enrolled (90 LBW, 90 LBW and 34 VLBW) and their growth and development were assessed. Data gathering tool was a researcher made questionnaire including anthropometrics measures and developmental key points. Data analyzed by descriptive (mean and SD) and inferential (ANOVA) tests using SPSS version 15.
Results:
There were significant differences in the mean of anthropometric indexes between three groups. Majority of subjects in three groups had normal weight growth trend. Mean scores of gross motor and fine motor development indexes had significant association with birth weight. Meanwhile, there was no significant association between mean scores of social/cognitive and also language developmental aspects and birth weight.
Conclusion:
Findings revealed that in LBW and VLBW children, growth indexes at the age of 18 months are so far from those of NBW neonates. Further nationwide prospective studies, with a longer period of time is needed to estimate when Iranian LBW children reach at the levels of NBW ones.
