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Catch-up growth and behavioral development among preterm, small-for-gestational-age children: A nationwide Japanese

Akihito Takeuchi1, Takashi Yorifuji2, Mariko Hattori1

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Okayama Medical Center, National Hospital Organization, Okayama, Japan.

Brain & Development
|January 7, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants who were small for gestational age (SGA) and did not experience catch-up growth showed higher risks for attention problems. These attention issues persisted from preschool into school age, highlighting the need for early intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Development
  • Neurobehavioral Research
  • Growth Studies

Background:

  • Preterm birth and small for gestational age (SGA) are associated with developmental challenges.
  • Catch-up growth is a critical factor influencing long-term outcomes in these infants.
  • Understanding the link between postnatal growth and neurobehavioral development is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between catch-up growth in preterm, SGA children and their subsequent behavioral development.
  • To identify specific behavioral outcomes associated with poor catch-up growth in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of a large, Japanese, nationwide, population-based, longitudinal survey data (n=1667 preterm children).
  • Definition of catch-up growth for SGA infants as height > -2.0 SD at 2 years of age.
  • Logistic regression used to assess associations between SGA/catch-up status and neurobehavioral development at 5.5 and 8 years, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

  • Twenty-six percent of preterm SGA infants did not achieve catch-up growth.
  • SGA children without catch-up growth showed increased odds of inattentiveness (difficulty listening without fidgeting, focusing) at 5.5 years.
  • Significant risk for inattention was observed in SGA children without catch-up growth at 8 years of age.

Conclusions:

  • Poor postnatal growth in SGA preterm infants is linked to attention problems from preschool through school age.
  • Early identification and intervention for attention deficits are crucial for preterm SGA infants.
  • This study underscores the importance of monitoring growth and neurobehavioral development in preterm infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
AttentionCatch-up, postnatal growthPretermSmall-for-gestational-age

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