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Updated: Jan 4, 2026
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
First-year growth of 834 preterm infants in a Chinese population: a single-center study
Ying Deng1,2, Fan Yang3,4, Dezhi Mu1,2
1Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
Insights
Very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) preterm infants demonstrate catch-up growth in their first year. However, VLBW and SGA remain risk factors for poor growth, though iron supplementation helps reduce anemia prevalence.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Growth and Development
- Hematology
Background:
- Preterm infants require close monitoring for growth and hematological parameters during their first year.
- Understanding growth trajectories and anemia risk is crucial for optimizing outcomes in vulnerable neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To track the growth and hematological indicators of preterm infants up to one year corrected age.
- To identify risk factors for poor growth and assess the impact of iron prophylaxis on anemia.
Main Methods:
- Prospective follow-up of neonates born before 37 weeks gestational age.
- Monthly measurements of weight, length, and head circumference for the first six months, then bi-monthly until 12 months corrected age.
- Hemoglobin levels assessed at 6 and 12 months; iron prophylaxis administered per national guidelines.
Main Results:
- Catch-up growth rates for weight, length, and head circumference at 12 months corrected age were 22.6%, 29.1%, and 14.6% respectively.
- Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants exhibited higher catch-up growth rates but also showed lower Z-scores and higher incidences of stunting and wasting.
- The prevalence of anemia was 6.8% at 6 months and 7.8% at 12 months; VLBW and SGA were identified as significant risk factors for poor growth.
Conclusions:
- VLBW and SGA preterm infants experience significant catch-up growth but remain at higher risk for poor growth outcomes.
- Prophylactic iron supplementation appears effective in mitigating the prevalence of anemia in preterm infants.
- Early identification and management of growth faltering and anemia are essential for preterm infants.
Background:
The aim of this study was to follow the growth and hematological indicators of preterm infants during their first year.
Methods:
Neonates below 37 gestational weeks had routine follow-ups up through 1 year from January 2012 to December 2015 at West China 2nd University Hospital, Sichuan University. Weight, length and head circumference (HC) were measured monthly during the first 6 months, followed by monitoring every second month until 12 months. The catch-up growth defined as a gain of Z-score > 0.67 according to previous study. All preterm infants were prescribed iron prophylaxis based on national guideline. The hemoglobin concentration was examined at 6 and 12 months.
Results:
Altogether, 132 very-low-birth-weight (VLBW), 504 low-birth-weight (LBW) and 198 normal-birth-weight (NBW) infants were followed. The rates of catch-up growth for weight, length and HC 12 months of corrected age (CA) were 22.6, 29.1 and 14.6%, respectively. SGA and VLBW infants showed higher catch-up growth rates. The overall prevalence of anemia was 6.8% at 6 months and 7.8% at 12 months. The Z-scores for weight-for-length, length and HC were lower in the VLBW and SGA preterm infant groups than in the other preterm groups throughout the first year of life. The incidences of stunting, microcephaly and wasting changed from 5, 1.3 and 3.7% to 2, 1.1, 0.9 and 2.4%, respectively, during the first year. However, the incidences of wasting and stunting were higher for the VLBW infants than for the LBW and NBW infants at 12 months (9.3% vs. 1.4%, p < 0.01; 9.3% vs. 1%, p < 0.01,respectively; 4.7% vs. 0.8%, p < 0.01, 4.7% vs. 0%, p < 0.01,respectively). Similar results were observed between SGA and AGA infants (8.7% vs. 1.5%, p < 0.01; 5.8% vs. 0.4%, p < 0.01). Logistic regression revealed SGA and VLBW as risk factors for poor growth (WLZ < -2SD) at 12 months (OR = 5.5, 95% CI: 2.1-14.8, p < 0.01: OR = 4.8, 95% CI: 1.8-12.8, p < 0.01, respectively).
Conclusion:
The VLBW and SGA preterm infants showed significant catch-up growth during their first year of life. However, SGA and VLBW were risk factors for poor growth during the preterm infants' first year of life. Prophylactic iron supplementation in preterm infants appears to reduce the prevalence of anemia.
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