[Catch-up growth and associated factors in very low birth weight infants]
Teodoro Durá-Travé1, Isabel San Martín-García2, Fidel Gallinas-Victoriano2
1Departamento de Pediatría, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, España; Servicio de Pediatría, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, España; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Navarra, España.
Insights
Catch-up growth in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants is characterized by specific patterns. Adequate weight catch-up is crucial for achieving normal height by age 10 in VLBW children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Growth and Development
Background:
- Catch-up growth patterns in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants remain unclear.
- Understanding these patterns is essential for optimizing long-term outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze height catch-up and associated factors in VLBW infants from birth to 14 years.
- To identify predictors of inadequate height catch-up in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective data collection on weight and height from birth to 14 years in 170 VLBW infants.
- Comparison of anthropometric data with a control group.
- Analysis of factors influencing height catch-up.
Main Results:
- At 10 years, 35% of extremely low birth weight (<1,500g) infants had short stature (P=.001).
- Adequate weight catch-up by ages 2, 4, and 10 years predicted normal height.
- Extremely low birth weight and extreme prematurity independently predicted inadequate height catch-up.
Conclusions:
- VLBW infants exhibit distinct growth trajectories.
- Weight catch-up is a significant factor for achieving normal height.
- Comprehensive nutritional follow-up is recommended for VLBW infants.
Introduction:
The characteristics of catch-up growth in very low birth weight infants (VLBW) have not been clearly established. The aim of this study was to analyse the height catch-up and some associated factors in a cohort of VLBW (birth weight<1,500g) from birth to age 14 years.
Methods:
We obtained retrospective data on weight and height at birth and ages one, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 years in a cohort of 170 VLBW. We compared these anthropometric values with those documented in a control group.
Results:
Thirty-seven children (21.8%) were born with an extremely low birth weight and 32 (18.8%) extremely preterm. At 10 years of age, 7% of VLBW (1,000-1,500g) and 35% of extremely low birth weight (<1,500g) children had short stature (P=.001). Almost all VLBW children who had a normal height at ages 2, 4 and 10 years had exhibited adequate weight catch-up in previous evaluations. We found that extremely low birth weight and extremely preterm were independent predictors for inadequate height catch-up.
Conclusion:
The growth pattern of VLBW children has specific characteristics. The catch-up in weight seems to be an important factor for catch-up in height, and therefore a thorough nutritional follow-up is recommended in these children.
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