Cohort study of growth patterns by gestational age in preterm infants developing morbidity.

Area of Science:

• Neonatal intensive care
• Pediatric growth studies
• Perinatal medicine

Background:

• Extremely preterm infants are at high risk for major morbidities.
• Growth patterns in these infants can be affected by various health complications.
• Understanding these associations is crucial for optimizing care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how growth patterns differ in preterm infants who develop significant morbidities.
• To analyze the relationship between birth weight, postnatal weight gain, and specific neonatal complications.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study involving 2521 infants born between 23-30 weeks gestational age.
• Data collected from neonatal intensive care units in the USA, Canada, and Swedish population-based cohorts.
• Examination of birth weight and postnatal weight gain relative to gestational age and the development of ROP, BPD, NEC, and IVH.

Main Results:

• Infants developing ROP and BPD (born 25-30 weeks GA) had lower birth weight SD scores and postnatal weights.
• ROP was associated with reduced growth rates at specific postnatal periods, varying by GA group.
• BPD (born 27-30 weeks GA) showed lower growth rates during weeks 3-5. NEC was linked to lower growth rates post-week 6.
• Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) showed no significant association with prenatal or postnatal growth.

Conclusions:

• Postnatal growth patterns in extremely preterm infants are significantly associated with the development of major morbidities like ROP, BPD, and NEC.
• Gestational age at birth is a key factor influencing these growth patterns and their association with morbidities.
• These findings highlight the complex interplay between early growth and neonatal complications.