Growth patterns during early childhood in children born small for gestational age and moderate preterm

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Growth and Development
• Public Health

Background:

• Postnatal growth patterns are influenced by factors like gestational age and birth size.
• Limited data exists on the interaction between birth size and gestational age for children born moderately preterm.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interaction between birth size (standardized appropriate for gestational age - sAGA, and standardized small for gestational age - sSGA) and gestational age (32-40 weeks) on postnatal growth.
• To determine the growth trajectories of children born moderately preterm and/or small for gestational age.

Main Methods:

• Population-based cohort study of 41,669 children born between 32 and 40 gestational weeks in Uppsala County, Sweden (2000-2015).
• Generalized least squares model applied to anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI) at 1.5, 3, 4, and 5 years.
• Comparison of growth patterns for children born sAGA and sSGA at 32, 35, and 40 gestational weeks.

Main Results:

• Children born sAGA at 32 or 35 weeks showed comparable height, weight, and BMI to those born sAGA at 40 weeks after age 3.
• Children born sSGA at 32 or 35 weeks were shorter, lighter, and had lower BMI throughout the 5-year follow-up compared to those born sAGA at 40 weeks.
• The negative impact on growth was more pronounced with shorter gestational age at birth for sSGA infants.

Conclusions:

• Being born small for gestational age (SGA) and moderately preterm is linked to reduced stature and BMI in early childhood.
• Gestational age at birth is a significant factor, with earlier preterm birth exacerbating growth deficits in SGA infants.