Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 8, 2026
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Weight Growth Velocity and Postnatal Growth Failure in Infants 501 to 1500 Grams: 2000-2013
Jeffrey D Horbar1, Richard A Ehrenkranz2, Gary J Badger3
1Vermont Oxford Network, Burlington, Vermont; Department of Pediatrics.
Insights
Infant growth in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) has improved, with increased average growth velocity (GV) and decreased rates of postnatal growth failure. However, significant challenges remain, as many infants still experience growth issues.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Growth and Development
- Clinical Outcomes Research
Background:
- Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants frequently exhibit poor weight gain and growth failure during hospitalization.
- While major morbidities in NICU settings have declined, improvements in VLBW infant growth remain uncertain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate trends in growth velocity and the incidence of postnatal growth failure in VLBW infants.
- To assess changes in growth outcomes for infants weighing 501 to 1500g over a 14-year period.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 362,833 infants (501-1500g) hospitalized for 15-175 days across 736 North American hospitals (2000-2013).
- Calculation of average growth velocity (GV) using a 2-point exponential model.
- Definition of postnatal growth failure and severe postnatal growth failure based on discharge weight percentiles for postmenstrual age.
Main Results:
- Average GV increased from 11.8 to 12.9 g/kg/day between 2000 and 2013.
- Postnatal growth failure decreased from 64.5% to 50.3%, and severe postnatal growth failure from 39.8% to 27.5%.
- Hospital-level data in 2013 showed considerable variation in GV and growth failure rates.
Conclusions:
- Significant improvements in average GV and reductions in postnatal growth failure were observed in VLBW infants.
- Despite improvements, a substantial proportion of VLBW infants still experienced growth failure by 2013.
- Continued focus on optimizing growth in VLBW infants is warranted.
Background:
Very low birth weight infants often gain weight poorly and demonstrate growth failure during the initial hospitalization. Although many of the major morbidities experienced by these infants during their initial NICU stays have decreased in recent years, it is unclear whether growth has improved.
Methods:
We studied 362 833 infants weighing 501 to 1500 g without major birth defects born from 2000 to 2013 and who were hospitalized for 15 to 175 days at 736 North American hospitals in the Vermont Oxford Network. Average growth velocity (GV; g/kg per day) was computed by using a 2-point exponential model on the basis of birth weight and discharge weight. Postnatal growth failure and severe postnatal growth failure were defined as a discharge weight less than the 10th and third percentiles for postmenstrual age, respectively.
Results:
From 2000 to 2013, average GV increased from 11.8 to 12.9 g/kg per day. Postnatal growth failure decreased from 64.5% to 50.3% and severe postnatal growth failure from 39.8% to 27.5%. The interquartile ranges for the hospitals participating in 2013 were as follows: GV, 12.3 to 13.4 g/kg per day; postnatal growth failure, 41.1% to 61.7%; and severe postnatal growth failure, 19.4% to 36.0%. Adjusted and unadjusted estimates were nearly identical.
Conclusions:
For infants weighing 501 to 1500 g at birth, average GV increased and the percentage with postnatal growth failure decreased. However, in 2013, half of these infants still demonstrated postnatal growth failure and one-quarter demonstrated severe postnatal growth failure.
More Related Videos
05:04A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
Published on: September 22, 2023
09:24Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable
Published on: May 17, 2024