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Longitudinal Growth of Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants at 5 years

Jogender Kumar1, Kanya Mukhopadhyay2

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.

Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|November 13, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants show significant undernutrition at 5 years, with higher rates of being underweight and stunted compared to controls. Catch-up growth is not observed beyond 2 years of age in this vulnerable population.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
  • Growth and Development

Background:

  • Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants represent a vulnerable population requiring long-term growth monitoring.
  • Understanding the long-term growth trajectory of ELBW infants is crucial for identifying developmental challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the longitudinal growth parameters of Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants up to 5 years of age.
  • To compare the growth outcomes of ELBW infants with a matched control group at 5 years.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study design following ELBW infants discharged alive between 2009-2011.
  • Growth parameters (weight, length, occipitofrontal circumference) and Z-scores were measured at 5 years.
  • Comparison of growth metrics between ELBW cohort (n=47) and matched controls (n=45).

Main Results:

  • At 5 years, ELBW infants exhibited significantly higher proportions of being underweight (36.2%) and stunted (27.7%) compared to controls (p < 0.001).
  • A notable percentage of ELBW infants presented with wasting (23.4%) and microcephaly (15.7%) at 5 years.
  • While Z-scores showed no significant difference at 2 and 5 years, the prevalence of undernutrition indicates persistent growth deficits.

Conclusions:

  • ELBW infants experience significant undernutrition and growth deficits persisting up to 5 years of age.
  • There is a lack of significant catch-up growth in ELBW infants beyond 2 years of age.
  • Long-term nutritional and developmental support is essential for ELBW survivors.

Keywords:
Catch upExtremely low birth weightGrowthNutrition

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