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Growth pattern and final height of very preterm vs. very low birth weight infants

Jonneke J Hollanders1, Sylvia M van der Pal2, Paula van Dommelen2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Pediatric Research
|April 20, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Very preterm (VP) and very low birth weight (VLBW) classifications impact infant growth differently. Gestational age is recommended for future preterm infant studies, especially in industrialized nations.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Growth Studies
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Studies on preterm birth often use very preterm (VP) and very low birth weight (VLBW) as inclusion criteria.
  • The distinct impacts of VP and VLBW on postnatal growth trajectories require further quantification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess how classifications based on very preterm birth and/or very low birth weight influence postnatal growth until final adult height.
  • To compare growth patterns among infants categorized by VP and VLBW status.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of infants born very preterm and/or with very low birth weight was classified into three groups: VP+/VLBW+, VP+/VLBW-, and VP-/VLBW+.
  • Anthropometric measurements were collected from birth up to 19 years of corrected age.
  • Longitudinal follow-up included 590 of the original 998 subjects at age 19.

Main Results:

  • Infants classified as VP-/VLBW+ had the smallest birth size compared to VP+/VLBW+ and VP+/VLBW- groups.
  • The VP-/VLBW+ group exhibited increasing length, weight, and head circumference SD scores during childhood, unlike the other groups.
  • Despite catch-up growth, VP-/VLBW+ individuals remained shorter and lighter at age 19.

Conclusions:

  • Classification based on very preterm birth and very low birth weight leads to distinct postnatal growth patterns.
  • Gestational age is a more appropriate primary criterion for classifying preterm infants in future research, particularly in industrialized countries.

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