Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 31, 2025
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Growth patterns and body composition in former extremely low birth weight (ELBW) neonates until adulthood: a
Caroline Van de Pol1, Karel Allegaert2,3
1KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Insights
Extremely low birth weight infants show catch-up growth but remain smaller. Long-term body composition and cardiovascular risks require further study in these vulnerable children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Growth and Development
Background:
- Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants have distinct anthropometric and body composition profiles at birth and term-corrected age compared to normal birth weight infants.
- ELBW survivors face an elevated risk of adverse cardiovascular health outcomes later in life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize growth data, specifically for extremely low birth weight children from infancy through adulthood.
- To compare anthropometric parameters and body composition of ELBW individuals with normal birth weight controls and WHO growth charts.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across multiple databases for studies on growth and body composition in former ELBW infants.
- Comparison of height, weight, head circumference, BMI, fat mass, lean mass, fat distribution, and body water against controls and WHO standards.
Main Results:
- ELBW neonates experience accelerated postnatal growth but achieve lower anthropometric parameters than normal birth weight children.
- Post-hospital discharge, ELBW neonates consistently show smaller stature, weight, and head circumference throughout childhood and adolescence.
- Consensus on body composition differences and measurement methods in ELBW individuals is lacking.
Conclusions:
- Despite a period of catch-up growth, ELBW infants experience persistent growth retardation.
- Further research is crucial to understand the long-term body composition and associated risks of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome in ELBW survivors.
Abstract:
Preterm infants are obviously born lighter and shorter, with smaller head circumferences than normal birth weight term born neonates. They also have a different body composition. Compromised growth is associated with adverse health outcomes. Both growth retardation and accelerated growth are suggested to cause metabolic, cardiovascular, and renal complications. Reviews regarding growth and body composition in preterm infants often do not differentiate between birth weight and gestational age. The purpose of this systematic review is to assemble growth data, specific in extremely low birth weight children. Different databases were searched for studies regarding growth and body composition in former extremely low birth weight infants until adulthood. We compared height, weight, head circumference, body mass index, fat mass, lean mass, fat distribution, and body water to matched normal birth weight controls and the World Health Organization growth charts. Studies consistently reported that former extremely low birth weight neonates experience a period of accelerated postnatal growth, but they achieve lower anthropometric parameters than normal birth weight children. There is no consensus about differences in body composition and how to measure this.Conclusion: Although extremely low birth weight infants exhibit a period of catch-up growth, their growth remains retarded later in life. Further research is needed to investigate body composition and the associated risk of cardiovascular diseases or metabolic syndrome.What is Known:• Extremely low birth weight infants have lower anthropometric parameters and a different body composition at birth and term-corrected age than normal birth weight infants.• Former extremely low birth weight infants also have a higher risk on adverse cardiovascular health outcomes in later life.What is New:• After hospital discharge, extremely low birth weight neonates remain smaller and probably also lighter, with smaller head circumferences at each corrected age throughout childhood and adolescence when compared to normal birth weight infants or the World Health Organization growth charts. It is not clear whether extremely low birth weight infants reach a lower or similar body mass index score as normal birth weight infants.• There is a lack of (long-term) information on body composition in extremely low birth weight infants.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
01:52Regression Toward the Mean
01:29Oxygen Requirements and Growth Patterns
01:10Nature and Nurture
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...