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Growth and very low birth weight.
W H Kitchen1, G W Ford, L W Doyle
1Department of Obstetrics, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|March 1, 1989
Summary
Catch-up growth is unlikely in poorly grown very low birthweight children. Growth centiles at 2 years predict poor growth at 5 years, indicating limited catch-up growth potential.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Growth and Development
Background:
- Very low birthweight (VLBW) children often experience growth deficits.
- Limited data exists on catch-up growth potential in VLBW infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the likelihood of catch-up growth in VLBW children.
- To identify predictors of sustained poor growth in VLBW children.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study tracking weight, height, and head circumference.
- Comparison between VLBW (n=135) and normal birthweight (n=42) children at 2 and 5 years.
- Analysis of growth centiles and incremental growth between 2 and 5 years.
Main Results:
- VLBW children were significantly more likely to be below the 10th centile for weight and height at both 2 and 5 years.
- Children born weighing under 1000g showed poorer weight outcomes at 5 years compared to those weighing 1000-1500g.
- Growth centiles at 2 years were strong predictors of growth status at 5 years; perinatal factors had minimal predictive value.
- VLBW children below the 10th centile for weight or height at 2 years typically remained so at 5 years, showing no catch-up growth.
Conclusions:
- VLBW children exhibit persistent growth deficits, with limited catch-up growth observed by 5 years.
- Early growth assessment at 2 years is crucial for predicting long-term growth outcomes in VLBW populations.
- Interventions targeting VLBW infants should focus on early and sustained growth support.