Preterm newborn's postnatal growth patterns: how to evaluate them.

Area of Science:

• Neonatalogy
• Pediatric Growth Monitoring
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Postnatal growth in preterm infants is influenced by various factors.
• Accurate growth evaluation is crucial for optimizing nutritional care.
• Preterm infants often present a 'bundle of vulnerabilities' impacting growth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define methods for evaluating individual growth trajectories in preterm infants.
• To determine appropriate growth curves for different risk levels and gestational ages.
• To guide nutritional interventions based on individual growth patterns.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of studies on growth curves and nutritional adjustments.
• Literature search conducted on PubMed and Google Scholar.
• Focus on studies prioritizing individual postnatal growth rate.

Main Results:

• Longitudinal neonatal data across various gestational ages are essential for optimal growth pattern evaluation.
• High and medium-risk pregnancies require specific considerations in growth assessment.
• Individual growth trajectories offer an alternative monitoring approach.

Conclusions:

• Individual growth trajectories are recommended for preterm infants <33 weeks gestation.
• Intergrowth 21st curves are appropriate for preterm infants >33 weeks gestation.
• Tailored nutritional care is vital for all preterm infants.